NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Official Cars

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which Ministers in his Department have used an allocated Ministerial car to travel between the Department and the House of Commons on each day since 21 May 2010.

Owen Paterson: Ministers use cars provided by the Government Car and Dispatch Agency as and when necessary for official ministerial business under guidelines provided by the Cabinet Office.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Affordable Housing: Lancashire

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of surplus one and two bed properties in the social sector in West Lancashire constituency.

Andrew Stunell: The number of surplus properties in the social sector is not collected centrally.
	Information on the number of vacant general needs registered social landlord owned dwellings located in each local authority area as at 31 March is collected by the Tenant Services Authority via their regulatory and statistical return (RSR). However, the Government do not consider vacant dwelling information an appropriate proxy measure of surplus housing.

Community Land Trusts

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many community land trusts are registered in England; and how many new homes he expects such trusts to provide in the next four years.

Grant Shapps: There is no requirement to register to become a Community Land Trusts (CLTs). They are independent locally constituted bodies, which are contributing to the provision of affordable housing in areas of need. We have no estimate of how many homes CLTs will provide in the next four years.

Council Housing: Construction

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 28 June 2010,  Official Report, columns 374-5W, on council housing: construction, what criteria his Department uses to assess the value for money of schemes to support the construction of new local authority housing.

Grant Shapps: The Homes and Communities Agency would judge any local authority scheme put forward for grant support against the same criteria it would apply to housing association schemes; that is, value for money in terms of both total public subsidy and per person housed.

Departmental Official Photographs

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department has spent on official photographs of Ministers since the formation of the present administration.

Bob Neill: Nil. There will be no cost to the public purse; costs of official ministerial photographs commissioned since 12 May 2010 are being personally met by Ministers.
	In previous years for which costs are available, departmental spend on official ministerial photography, funded by the public purse, was as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2009-10 939.25 
			 2008-09 445 
			 2007-08 794 
			 2006-07 470

Housing Benefit: Homlessness

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate his Department has made of the likely effects of implementation of the proposed changes to the payment of housing benefit on  (a) levels of homelessness and  (b) demand for affordable housing in each of the next five years.

Grant Shapps: The Department for Work and Pensions undertakes an assessment of the impact on specific groups as part of the policy development process. DWP will publish formal impact assessments in due course.

Housing: Construction

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to bring forward further proposals on providing financial incentives to local authorities allowing residential development in their areas.

Grant Shapps: We are committed to increasing housing supply and seeing more of the homes that people want, in the places that people want them, to meet Britain's housing need. The coalition agreement set out our clear intention to provide incentives for local authorities to deliver sustainable development, including new homes and business. I will set out further details on incentives in due course.

Housing: Empty Property

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 28 June 2010,  Official Report, column 377W, on housing: empty property, when he expects to complete his assessment of potential measures to bring empty homes back into use; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: We will complete our assessment and make an announcement shortly.

National Community Land Trust Network

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the cost of establishing the National Community Land Trust Network; how many people he expects the network to employ; and what effects he expects the establishment of the Network to have on community land trusts.

Grant Shapps: Carnegie UK Trust was awarded funding through the Empowerment Fund in 2009 to support community engagement in planning matters. Their bid focused on their work facilitating Community Land Trusts (CLTs). As part of their work, the trust has established the National Community Land Trust Network, which will be hosted by the National Housing Federation (NHF) with a grant of £100,000 over two years. The NHF will complement this funding with financial and in-kind support. One member of staff will be employed by the Network, which will provide high quality legal, financial and development advice to CLTs. Key to its work will be to ensure experience and good practice is shared to assist communities to deliver more affordable housing, workspaces and community facilities using this model.

Property Development: Floods

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities not to grant planning permissions for residential dwellings on flood plains or areas at high risk of flooding; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: The Coalition programme states that the Government will radically reform the planning system to give neighbourhoods far more ability to determine the shape of the places in which their inhabitants live, based on the principles set out in the Conservative party publication "Open Source Planning". The programme also states that the Government will prevent unnecessary building in areas of high flood risk. We will publish and present to Parliament a simple and consolidated national planning policy framework covering all forms of development and setting out national economic, environmental and social priorities. We will make an announcement on how we propose to take forward the national planning framework and the implications for specific areas of planning policy shortly.

Social Rented Housing: Bishop Auckland

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his most recent estimate is of the number of surplus  (a) one and  (b) two bedroom properties in the social sector in (i) Bishop Auckland and (ii) Blackpool North and Cleveleys constituency.

Andrew Stunell: The number of surplus properties in the social sector is not collected centrally.
	Information on the number of vacant general needs registered social landlord owned dwellings located in each local authority area as at 31 March is collected by the Tenant Services Authority via their Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR). However, the Government do not consider vacant dwelling information an appropriate proxy measure of surplus housing.

Social Rented Housing: Standards

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate his Department has made of the number of  (a) local authority and  (b) housing association properties remaining to be refurbished under the Decent Homes programme on 31 March (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011.

Grant Shapps: The latest estimate is that there were 282,000 local authority and 134,000 housing association homes failing to meet the Decent Homes standard at the end of March 2010 and there will be 205,000 local authority and 100,000 housing association non-decent homes at the end of March 2011. These figures would have been lower had funding reductions of £150 million not been made to the Decent Homes programme in July 2009.

Travellers: Caravan Sites

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will bring forward proposals to increase the powers of local authorities to remove illegally camped Gypsies and Travellers; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Stunell: The Government will ensure that, where local authorities have made appropriate provision for authorised sites in their area which reflect genuine local need and historic demand, those authorities will be given stronger enforcement powers to deal with unauthorised encampments. We are reviewing how this can be achieved but any changes to the law must be consistent with our other Coalition Agreement commitments; we will be looking in the first instance at options for enforcing existing civil law, such as the use of civil penalties.

TRANSPORT

Bus services

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to amend the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 2000 to require all new buses to have audio and visual information systems.

Norman Baker: Research is currently being undertaken to assess whether the challenges of widespread implementation of audio visual equipment on buses can be overcome. This will assist the decision on whether to make amendments to The Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations to include a requirement for such systems to be fitted to buses. The research project has brought together a cross section of stakeholders, including Guide Dogs, Royal National Institute of Blind People and Royal National Institute for Deaf People. The project is scheduled to report in autumn 2010.

Bus services

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to offer bus services operator grant for the provision of local bus services in  (a) 2011-12 and  (b) 2012-13.

Norman Baker: The Government are considering Bus Service Operators Grant as part of the spending review. We will make an announcement once the spending review has concluded.

Bus Services: Leeds

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the liability to contractors would be if funding for the Quality Bus scheme on the A65 in Leeds were withdrawn.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has not made an estimate of these costs as we have no intention of withdrawing funding for this scheme.

Departmental NDPBs

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the address is of the head office of each non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible.

Norman Baker: The address of the head office of each non-departmental public body for which the Department for Transport is responsible is as follows:
	British Rail Residuary Board, BRB (Residuary) Ltd, 4th Floor, One Kemble Street, London WC2B 4AN
	British Transport Police Authority, The Forum, 5th Floor North, 74-80 Camden Street, London NW1 0EG
	Cycling England, PO Box 54810, London SW1P 4XX
	Disabled Persons' Transport Advisory Committee, 2/23 Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR
	Civil Aviation Authority, CAA House, 45-59 Kingsway, London WC2B 6TE
	Commission for Integrated Transport, 2nd Floor, 55 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0EU
	Directly Operated Railways Ltd, 4th Floor, 1 Kemble Street, London WC2B 4AN
	High Speed 2 Ltd, 55 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0EU
	Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, 83 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0HW
	Northern Lighthouse Board, 84 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 3DA
	Office of the Rail Regulation, 1 Kemble Street, London, WC2B 4AN
	Office of the Traffic Commissioner, Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF
	Passenger Focus, Whittles House, 14 Pentonville Road, London N1 9HF and 5th Floor, Wellington House, 39/41 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1LQ
	Rail Heritage Committee, Zone 4/13, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6EB
	Renewable Fuels Agency, Ashdown House, Sedlescombe Road North, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN37 7GA
	Trinity House Lighthouse Service, Trinity House, Tower Hill, London EC3N 4DH.

Departmental Reviews

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 8 June 2010,  Official Report, column 137W, on Government Departments: reviews, what reviews his Department is undertaking; and what the  (a) purpose and  (b) timescale of each is.

Norman Baker: The Coalition Agreement sets out in detail the Government's future plans, including the key reviews it will be undertaking. This includes a reform of the way decisions are made on which transport projects to prioritise so that the benefits of low carbon proposals (including light rail schemes) are fully recognised. The Department for Transport will bring forward detailed information about this and other reviews in due course.

Intercity Express

Phil Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish the outcomes of Sir Andrew Foster's review of the Intercity Express contract; and if he will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: The Government have published Sir Andrew Foster's report today and I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on rolling stock.

Merchant Shipping: Registration

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to take to encourage more merchant naval vessels to register in the UK.

Michael Penning: The Government remain committed to a strong and high quality UK Ship Register.
	The Ship Register is maintaining its strong position both in size (11th largest fleet in the world) and its commitment to maintaining high quality standards (5th on the Paris MOU white list).
	We continue to explore opportunities for further development of the UK Ship Register.

River Wear: Bridges

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will expedite the decision on whether to retain planned funding to the new Wear Bridge.

Norman Baker: As the Secretary of State explained in his written ministerial statement of 10 June 2010,  Official Report, column 35WS on transport (local authority major schemes), funding decisions for this or any other local authority major transport scheme will not be taken at least until the conclusion of the spending review.

Road Traffic: Greater Manchester

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will visit the villages of Hollingworth and Mottram-in-Longdendale in Stalybridge and Hyde constituency to observe traffic congestion on the A59.

Norman Baker: I understand Tameside metropolitan borough council is currently looking at options to address congestion in the villages of Hollingworth and Mottram-in-Longdendale in the constituency of Stalybridge and Hyde.
	I do not think it would be appropriate for me or the Secretary of State for Transport to visit the area to observe traffic congestion whilst this work is ongoing.

Roads: Lighting

Gavin Barwell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to inform Croydon and Lewisham councils of his decision on their joint bid for credit for their private finance initiative street lighting scheme.

Norman Baker: Croydon and Lewisham Councils have not yet submitted a Final Business Case to the Department for Transport on their proposed street lighting scheme to be delivered through the Private Finance Initiative. This is not expected to be received until some time in late 2010/early 2011.

South East Airports Task Force

Sam Gyimah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the responsibilities of the South East Airports Taskforce are; and what mechanism will be established to ensure that the Taskforce takes account of representations from local residents and environmental groups.

Theresa Villiers: The South East Airports Taskforce will bring together key players from across the industry to explore the scope for measures to help improve reliability, reduce delay and create better conditions for all users.
	I have invited representation from the Aviation Environment Federation to consider the environmental impact of any proposals.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Departmental Conferences

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the expenditure of her Department and its predecessor on  (a) organisation of and  (b) attendance at conferences in each year since 1997.

Richard Benyon: The Department run conferences on specific issues where we feel benefit will be had. Where appropriate we send delegates to other organisations' conferences whose work is relevant to our own.
	Statistics on conferences are not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Floods: North East

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what expenditure her Department and its agencies have incurred on flood defences in the North East in each of the last 13 years; and what estimate she has made of the equivalent figure in each of the next five years.

Richard Benyon: The following table shows Environment Agency expenditure within the Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee's boundary. Figures are available from 2000-01 and have been rounded to the nearest £100,000.
	Expenditure on flood risk management includes investment in new defences and other assets, maintenance of existing defences, and all other flood risk activities such as flood warnings and mapping.
	Figures have been sourced from Environment Agency outturn reports, which are now called stewardship statements, presented by the Environment Agency to the Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee each year.
	
		
			   Total (£000) 
			 2000-01 5,400 
			 2001-02 5,600 
			 2002-03 7,700 
			 2003-04 9,700 
			 2004-05 11,500 
			 2005-06 11,500 
			 2006-07 10,200 
			 2007-08 9,900 
			 2008-09 9,900 
			 2009-10 11,000 
			 2010-11 13,900 
		
	
	Spending levels in future years are dependent on the conclusions of the spending review.

Whales: Conservation

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions Ministers in her Department had with their international counterparts at the 62nd annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: I spoke with Ministerial colleagues from Australia, New Zealand and Brazil, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State discussed whaling and the IWC with her counterparts in Germany and France. Throughout, we stressed our strong support for the moratorium on commercial whaling, and the need to ensure the long-term conservation and protection of whales.

Whales: Conservation

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what  (a) meetings and  (b) other engagements Ministers in her Department attended as part of the 62nd annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission.

Richard Benyon: I was able to attend the first day of the annual International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting, to demonstrate our commitment to the work of the IWC and the importance that the UK Government and people attach to it.
	I also had bi-lateral meetings with Ministers from Australia and New Zealand and met officials from the European Commission, EU member states, the Buenos Aires Group of South American countries and other IWC member countries.

Woodland

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to increase the amount of woodland in  (a) England and  (b) the West Midlands.

James Paice: holding answer 1 July 2010
	The Forestry Commission's delivery plan for the 2007 strategy for England's trees woods and forests includes the objective to plant trees and create new woodland in priority places. In addition our programme for government includes a commitment to launch a new national tree planting campaign.
	Under the Rural Development Programme for England 2007-13, there is a commitment to create 15,400 hectares of new woodlands with support from the English Woodland Grant Scheme administered by the Forestry Commission. This support is available in all regions including the west midlands. There will also be a contribution from smaller woodlands planted as part of Environmental Stewardship, the agri-environment grant scheme administered by Natural England.

Woodland

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to protect ancient woodland in  (a) England and  (b) the West Midlands.

James Paice: holding answer 1 July 2010
	All woodland is protected in accordance with the felling regulations under the Forestry Act 1967 (as amended). Any felling carried out without a licence is an offence, unless it is covered by one of the exemptions specified in the legislation. Under the Forestry Act, the Forestry Commission usually attaches conditions to a felling licence in order to secure replanting of any area felled.
	Where it is intended to fell trees and use the land for another purpose the proposals will be assessed under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) Regulations, and consent for felling under these regulations may also be required from the Forestry Commission.
	Woodland is also at risk from pests and diseases, some of which have emerged or become more widespread over the last few years. The Forestry Commission has responsibility for the protection of forest trees and timber and is empowered to make orders to prevent the introduction and spread of tree pests and diseases.
	Other measures to protect woodland, such as tree preservation orders, are available to local authorities in the west midlands and throughout England.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Conferences

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of his Department's expenditure on  (a) organisation of and  (b) attendance at conferences in each year since 1997.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not separately record information on the organisation of, or attendance at conferences. All expenditure is incurred in accordance with the principles of managing public money and the Treasury handbook on regularity and propriety.

Departmental Lost Property

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what property has been recorded as  (a) lost and  (b) stolen from his Department in the last 12 months; and what estimate has been made of the cost of the replacement of that property.

David Mundell: In the last 12 months one item of property has been recorded as lost. The Scotland Office incurred no cost as it was not replaced. No property has been reported stolen in the last 12 months.

WALES

Bosch: Location

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether she has discussed with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers  (a) the effects on employment in companies supplying the Bosch factory in Cardiff of relocation of the factory outside the UK and  (b) the effect on other Bosch factories in Wales of such a relocation.

Cheryl Gillan: I have regular discussions with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on the economic and employment situation in Wales. The closure of Bosch is indeed a blow to the south Wales economy and it will undoubtedly affect companies in the supply chain.
	The Welsh Assembly Government have offered their support to both Bosch employees and companies supplying the Miskin site and we will provide any assistance we can. In particular, it is vital that a new investor is found to make use of this well-located site just outside Cardiff so as to provide alternative employment for the skilled workers who are set to lose their jobs.
	Indeed, I recently met German Industry UK representatives to discuss ways of encouraging German companies to see the potential of Wales as a great place to do business.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Electoral Systems: Referendums

John Glen: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what estimate the Electoral Commission has made of the likely cost to the public purse of a referendum on the alternative vote system for general elections.

Gary Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that the Cabinet Office is currently developing cost estimates for the running of a national referendum.
	The Commission further informs me that the estimated cost of its own activities would be approximately £9.3 million. This includes the costs of its activities in fulfilling its statutory responsibilities and of making grants of public money, up to a maximum of £600,000 each, available to the designated organisations appointed as lead campaigners for each of the referendum outcomes.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Departmental NDPBs

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the address is of the head office of each non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible.

John Penrose: This information is available on our website at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/about_us/our_sponsored_bodies/963.aspx

Departmental Training

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what training has been provided for Ministers in his Department since the formation of the present administration; and at what cost.

John Penrose: As at 6 July 2010, one Minister has attended an induction course run by the National School of Government, and subsequently had a follow up session. Both were at no cost to the Department.

Mobile Phones: Fees and Charges

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many individual respondents there were to Ofcom's Wholesale Mobile Call Termination Review; when he expects Ofcom to report its recommendations to his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: The Wholesale Mobile Call Termination Review is a consultation conducted by Ofcom, who operate independently of Government.
	I have therefore asked Ofcom's chief executive to consider the question raised by the hon. Member for West Bromwich East and to write to him direct.
	Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Radio: Digital Broadcasting

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will delay or abolish the proposed switch off of FM analogue broadcasting in light of its effect on poorer households.

Edward Vaizey: holding answer 5 July 2010
	Around a quarter of all radio listening is now to digital, so a future transition to digital radio continues to gain impetus. However, the Government's policy is not to switch off FM. We believe that FM will continue to provide a platform for local and community radio for the foreseeable future.
	It would not be in anyone's interest to force stations on to DAB or to 'switch off FM at a time when it would leave any local stations without an appropriate broadcast platform. The assurance we can give, therefore, is that FM will continue for as long as it is needed and viable.
	With reference to the effect on poorer households, digital radios are portable, easy to use and affordable, with the cheapest models available for about £25 and manufacturers are committed to developing even more affordable DAB sets.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Young Offenders: Prosecutions

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Attorney-General how much the Crown Prosecution Service spent on prosecution of offenders under the age of 18 years in each of the last five years.

Nick Hurd: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not capture and report data by reference to the defendant's date of birth and costs incurred.
	However, the CPS is able to estimate the approximate internal costs of prosecuting offenders under the age of 18 for each of the last three years as:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2007-08 35,500,000 
			 2008-09 26,000,000 
			 2009-10 22,500,000 
		
	
	Equivalent earlier data for 2005-06 and 2006-07 are not available in a comparable format due to a change of process for recording data implemented in 2005.
	The costs have been calculated using the number of finalised defendants identified as being young offenders on the CPS case management system and applying the broad average cost of prosecutions using activity based costing data.
	The CPS does not capture the actual cost of individual prosecutions, to do so would require a time recording system and that would significantly increase the cost of running the service. However, the service does calculate the average cost of prosecutions through the application of activity based costing techniques.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Boilers: Government Assistance

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the boiler scrappage scheme in increasing energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: The Boiler Scrappage Scheme was designed to help up to 125,000 households at a cost of £50 million. An initial assessment of the potential effectiveness of the boiler scrappage scheme indicated that the efficiency improvement from replacement of "G-rated" gas boilers with "A-rated" boilers was over 20%. Replacing a "G-rated" boiler with an "A-rated" boiler is calculated to save at least one tonne of CO2 per boiler per annum in an average home. When the scheme has completed its payments to householders, there will be a final evaluation of the scheme.

Carbon Emissions

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what timetable has been set for a reduction in the level of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions; and if he will seek a commitment at EU level for a similar reduction in other EU countries.

Gregory Barker: The Climate Change Act 2008 sets greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of at least 34% by 2020 and at least 80% by 2050 (both from the 1990 baseline). The first three carbon budgets, running from 2008 to 2012, 2013 to 2017 and 2018 to 2022, are set in line with the 34% target. This is based on an EU-wide emissions reduction of 20% from 1990 levels by 2020. We are pushing to secure early EU agreement to move to a more ambitious emissions reduction target of 30% below 1990 levels by 2020. When this has been agreed, and the methodology for sharing the effort between EU member states has been decided, the UK will move to a more ambitious 2020 target, following advice from the Committee on Climate Change and taking into account the views of the Devolved Administrations.

Carbon Emissions

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the introduction of mandatory carbon reporting under section 85 of the Climate Change Act 2008.

Gregory Barker: DECC Ministers have not had recent discussions on this subject, but expect to discuss the issue in due course with DEFRA, the Department responsible for environmental reporting.

Departmental Lost Property

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what property has been recorded as  (a) lost and  (b) stolen from the Department in the last 12 months; and what estimate has been made of the cost of the replacement of that property.

Gregory Barker: The following items have been recorded as lost or stolen from the Department in the last 12 months:
	
		
			  Item  Lost  Stolen 
			 Laptops 1 3 
			 RSA token 18 3 
			 Entrust token 4 0 
			 BlackBerry 4 3 
			 3G dongle 1 0 
			 Coat 0 1 
			 Bag 0 1 
		
	
	Estimated costs for replacement is £7,000.

Departmental NDPBs

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the address is of the head office of each non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible.

Gregory Barker: The information is as follows:
	Civil Nuclear Police Authority: H280 Hinton House, Birchwood Park Avenue, Risley, Warrington, Cheshire, WA3 6AS
	The Coal Authority: 200 Lichfield Lane, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 4RG
	Nuclear Decommissioning Authority: Herdus House, Westlakes Science and Technology Park, Moor Row, Cumbria CA24 3HU
	Committee on Climate Change: 4th Floor, Manning House, 22 Carlisle Place, London SW1P 1JA
	Committee on Radioactive Waste Management Secretariat: Area 3D, 3 Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2AW
	Fuel Poverty Advisory Group: Area 1D, 3 Whitehall Place SW1A 2AW
	Renewables Advisory Board: 3 Whitehall Place SW1A 2AW
	Office for Nuclear Development: Area 3D, 3 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2AW
	UK Chemical Weapons Convention National Authority Advisory Committee: Bay 116, 1 Victoria St, London, SW1H 0ET
	Gas and Electricity Markets Authority: 9 Millbank, London SW1P 3GE
	Nuclear Liabilities Fund: Farringdon Place, 20 Farringdon Road, London EC1M 3AP

Electricity Generation: Planning Permission

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government the introduction of legislation to enable global environmental impact to be a consideration in deciding on planning applications for energy generating plants.

Gregory Barker: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to hold such discussions.
	While the planning system can help to deliver mitigation of environmental impacts including climate change, it would not be proportionate to expect individual developers to consider global environmental impacts beyond the environmental assessments, including environmental impact assessments on major infrastructure projects, that they are already required to carry out.

Green Investment Bank

James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will meet business representatives for Teesside to discuss the possible location of the Green Investment Bank in that area.

Gregory Barker: The Government will put forward detailed proposals for the creation of a Green Investment Bank following the Spending Review and will engage interested parties about the implementation of these proposals in due course.

Housing: Insulation

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he plans to retain the previous Government's target of insulating every home with cavity wall and loft insulation where technically possible by 2015.

Gregory Barker: The new Green Deal initiative will help us achieve, or exceed, the binding targets for carbon reductions set during the previous administration. We will introduce a new finance package to make it as easy and attractive as possible for householders to lag their lofts, fill wall cavities, and take further steps to reduce their use of energy in the home. Households will be able to install not only the basic cavity and loft insulation measures, but go further to provide comprehensive packages for households that can deliver real energy, money and carbon savings.
	In addition, the extension to the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), which was announced last week and is expected to deliver insulation to 3.5 million households between April 2011 and December 2012, will ensure a rapid and significant increase in the rate at which we insulate homes over the next couple of years.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the level of payment of feed-in tariffs necessary to encourage take-up of the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: holding answer 5 July 2010
	The Impact Assessment of Feed-in Tariffs for Small Scale, Low Carbon, Electricity Generation published on 1 February, and available from the DECC website at:
	www.decc.gov.uk/fits
	considered the levels of payment necessary to encourage take-up of the scheme.
	This assessment estimated that tariff rates realising an index linked rate of return of 5 to 8% would incentivise 750,000 small scale low carbon electricity generating installations.
	The FITs scheme has been running since 1 April and we are continually collecting data on uptake. As we learn more, this information will be fed into the review process.

Wind Power

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effects of wind turbines on nearby wildlife populations.

Charles Hendry: The UK operates strict controls to protect the natural environment, and any planning application for a wind farm which is likely to have a significant effect on the environment by virtue of factors such as size, nature or location is subject to environmental impact assessment. Statutory nature conservation bodies are consulted upon the scope and outcomes of the environmental impact assessment.
	Local and national planning authorities can and do refuse planning permission for proposed wind farms where there are likely to be significant impacts on local wildlife populations which cannot be acceptably mitigated. Where appropriate, conditions can be placed on a wind farm to ensure that any impacts on local wildlife populations are minimised, avoided or compensated. This may include post development monitoring of wildlife.
	The wildlife impacts of offshore windfarms are also looked at strategically as part of DECC's offshore energy strategic environmental assessment process. The most recent 2009 report concluded that up to 33GW of offshore wind could be installed without unacceptable environmental consequences, providing that suitable mitigation measures are incorporated on a site by site basis.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Air Conditioning Facilities

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, answering for the House of Commons Commission how many complaints have been made about air conditioning facilities in the offices of hon. Members and staff in  (a) 1 Parliament Street,  (b) Norman Shaw North,  (c) Norman Shaw South,  (d) the Palace of Westminster,  (e) 7 Millbank and  (f) Portcullis House in each of the last three years.

Stuart Bell: A summary of all temperature-related works requests as recorded by the Parliamentary Estates Directorate's computerised case management system is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of cases received 
			   January to December 2007  January to December 2008  January to December 2009 
			 1 Parliament Street 191 183 194 
			 Norman Shaw North 54 47 56 
			 Norman Shaw South 17 18 17 
			 The Palace of Westminster 259 276 277 
			 7 Millbank 56 40 84 
			 Portcullis House 120 122 61 
		
	
	The information recorded on the case management system does not distinguish between complaints about air conditioning and all other temperature-related requests for work. Nor does it distinguish between offices and other parts of the Parliamentary Estate.

Departmental Security

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, answering for the House of Commons Commission how many  (a) males and (b) females in each age group had a Palace of Westminster security pass (i) suspended and (ii) revoked in each year since 2007; and for what reason in each case.

Stuart Bell: Data on gender and age are not collected as part of the pass issue process. It is not possible to distinguish numbers of males and females in each age group who had passes suspended or revoked without disproportionate work.
	Information on passes suspended and revoked in each year since November 2007 is set out in the following table. In each case the reason for the suspension or revocation was an investigation instigated by the sponsor of the pass. The detailed reason in each case has not been provided because it could identify the individual concerned.
	
		
			   Number  Status 
			 2007 2 Revoked 
			 2007 2 Temporarily suspended 
			 2008 7 Revoked 
			 2008 3 Temporarily suspended 
			 2009 11 Revoked 
			 2009 9 Temporarily suspended 
			 2010 2 Revoked 
			 2010 3 Temporarily suspended 
			  Note: These figures have been taken from the Pass Office database introduced in November 2007. Data prior to this date are archived and access would require modification to system software at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Security

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, answering for the House of Commons Commission how many security passes allowing access to the Parliamentary Estate were issued in each category in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Stuart Bell: The number of security passes allowing access to the parliamentary estate issued in each category from 2007 to date is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Pass category description  2010  2009  2008  2007 
			 Contractor Works 794 1,406 1,221 229 
			 Contractor Works Escort 165 267 221 55 
			 Ex-Member 149 64 80 22 
			 Full Pass Holder Both Houses 21 56 40 2 
			 Full Pass Holder House of Commons 464 896 667 233 
			 Full Pass Holder House of Commons Members Library 2 2 5 2 
			 Full Pass Holder House of Commons Officer 112 171 161 65 
			 Full Pass Holder House of Commons Whips 44 73 49 26 
			 Full Pass Holder House of Lords 150 302 186 89 
			 Full Pass Holder House of Lords Officer 26 79 38 24 
			 Full Pass Holder House of Lords Whips 9 24 18 11 
			 Full Pass Holder Staff of Both Houses 560 1,306 1,181 535 
			 Full Pass Holder Staff of Both Houses Officer 50 78 52 42 
			 Full Pass House of Commons 352 75 88 24 
			 Full Pass House of Lords 77 114 80 61 
			 Government Department Staff 507 2,079 2,278 799 
			 Government Department Staff Escort 104 491 474 176 
			 Gymnasium 46 80 97 33 
			 Hereditary Peer 31 21 6 5 
			 MEP 0 7 3 0 
			 Media 46 88 95 24 
			 Media Escort 19 34 27 7 
			 Media Gallery 49 59 59 9 
			 Media Lobby 111 172 152 32 
			 Member 1,027 90 105 17 
			 Member Staff 1,578 1,256 1,562 362 
			 Member Staff Member Library 25 15 18 8 
			 Peer Staff 246 475 431 124 
			 Peers 180 222 144 78 
			 Residents Guest 6 10 0 0 
			 Restricted Pass Holder 216 413 366 108 
			 Restricted Pass Holder Driver 75 77 79 18 
			 Restricted Pass Holder Escort 22 52 53 16 
			 Restricted Pass Holder Tour Guide 152 201 168 9 
			 Retired Officer 2 3 1 9 
			 Staff of Both Houses 328 486 441 148 
			 Staff of Both Houses Escort 113 183 112 45 
			 Staff of House of Commons 145 324 205 41 
			 Staff of House of Commons Escort 19 23 18 7 
			 Staff of House of Lords 87 182 91 20 
			 Staff of House of Lords Escort 9 2 2 1 
		
	
	The figures above represent the number of passes printed in each category during each period and so include replacements for those that have been renewed, lost or have been reported faulty.
	The figure of 1,027 passes issued in the Member category for 2010 includes 300 passes used during an exercise to test the New Members Reception Area prior to the general election.
	The figures have been taken from the Pass Office database introduced in November 2007. Data prior to this date is archived and access would require modification to system software at disproportionate cost.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2010,  Official Report, column 2W, on Afghanistan: peacekeeping operations, what proportion of the increase in the operational allowance will be met from  (a) the Government reserve and  (b) his Department's core defence budget.

Liam Fox: holding answer 28 June 2010
	The operational allowance, currently estimated to be a total of £114 million in 2010-11, is drawn equally from the Government Reserve and the core defence budget. This reflects the priority that this Government places on both supporting our armed forces on operations and putting the military covenant on a proper footing. The contribution made from the defence budget also acknowledges that, although total Defence expenditure has been protected in 2010-11, it is vital that all departments prioritise resources to the front line, and assist in the key task of reducing the debt inherited by the new Government.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral statement of 14 June 2010,  Official Report, columns 663-66, on Afghanistan, what functions are to be supported by the £67 million for countering the threat from improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan.

Liam Fox: The allocation of an additional £67 million to support the campaign to counter the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) threat in Afghanistan will result in a significant increase in the number of Counter-IED teams in theatre. The additional capabilities they will be provided with, including protected vehicles and remote control vehicles, will increase the protection available to our armed forces, and will enhance their ability to defeat these devices. In this way, the additional capabilities will contribute significantly to the safety not only of our armed forces and our allies but also members of the Afghanistan National Security Forces and the local population, who are also victims of the indiscriminate use of IEDs.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of expenditure on military operations in Afghanistan in each year from 2002-03 to 2010-11; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Fox: holding answer 5 July 2010
	The net additional costs incurred on military operations in Afghanistan (Operation Herrick) are met by the HM Treasury-administered Government Reserve and are in addition to the core Defence budget. The costs that the Department would have incurred regardless of the operation taking place, such as wages and salaries, are not included. Savings on activities that have not occurred because of the operation-training exercises for example-are taken into account in arriving at the net figures.
	The annual audited figures for the costs of operations in Afghanistan since 2002-03 are provided in the following table:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Resource 236 36 58 148 560 1,071 1,655 
			 Capital Costs 75 10 9 51 178 433 968 
			 Total 311 46 67 199 738 1,504 2,623 
		
	
	The Estimated Cost of Operations(1) in Afghanistan at Spring Supplementary Estimates (SSE) for Financial Year 2009-10 is in the following table:
	(1) The outturn figures for Afghanistan have not yet been audited by the NAO and as such, I am only able to provide the figures at this time.
	
		
			  SSE f orecast 2009-10 
			  (£ million) 
			 Resource 2,515 
			 Capital 1,672 
			 Total estimated costs 4,187 
		
	
	The Estimated Cost of Operations in Afghanistan at Main Estimate for FY
	2010-11 is as follows:
	
		
			  ME forecast 2010-11 
			  (£ million) 
			 Resource 2,940 
			 Capital 1,496 
			 Total estimated costs 4,436 
		
	
	The figures for 2010-11 exclude the costs of the doubling of the operational allowance (estimated to be in the region of £57 million) that are being paid by the core Defence budget, reflecting the priority that this Government places on both supporting our armed forces on operations and rebuilding the military covenant. This also acknowledges that, although total defence expenditure has been protected in 2010-11, it is vital that all Departments prioritise resources to the front line and assist in the key task of reducing Government debt inherited from the previous administration.

Army: Discharges

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of each regiment of the Army were discharged in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 5 July 2010
	Members of the Army can be discharged for a variety of reasons, including on medical grounds, as a result of administrative or disciplinary action, reaching the end of an engagement and when an individual leaves the Army voluntarily.
	Due to the way in which information is captured on the Joint Personnel Administration system, discharge information by individual Regiment is not available.
	The number of discharges for each Arm and Corps in 2007-08 and 2008-09 is shown in the following table. The figures are for trained regular personnel only, and for 2007-08 include other categories of departure such as death and long-term absence.
	
		
			  Arm/Corps  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Staff n/a 70 
			 Household Cavalry/ Royal Armoured Corps 610 570 
			 Royal Regiment of Artillery 850 720 
			 Corps of Royal Engineers 1,010 930 
			 Royal Corps of Signals 800 740 
			 Infantry 3,480 2,330 
			 Army Air Corps 180 170 
			 Royal Logistics Corps 1,660 1,480 
			 Royal Army Medical Corps 190 230 
			 Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 940 920 
			 Adjutant General's Corps 590 570 
			 Royal Army Veterinary Corps 20 20 
			 Small Arms School Corps 10 10 
			 Royal Army Dental Corps 20 20 
			 Intelligence Corps 100 140 
			 Army Physical Training Corps (1)- 30 
			 Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps 30 70 
			 Corps of Army Music 70 60 
			 Long Service List n/a 60 
			 No Value (Unknown) 70 (2)- 
			 Royal Army Chaplain's Department n/a 10 
			 Total 10,680 9,160 
			 (1) denotes zero. (2) denotes fewer than five.  'n/a' denotes information is not available.  Note: All figures are provisional due to Joint Personnel Administration System data validation issues. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. Totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not appear to be the sum of their parts.

Army: Discharges

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which regiments in the British Army provide  (a) psychiatric advice,  (b) psychological advice,  (c) advice on re-skilling and continued education,  (d) advice on resettlement,  (e) advice on debt management,  (f) advice on alcohol misuse,  (g) advice on drug misuse,  (h) advice on re-employment and (i) advice on behavioural issues including anger management to soldiers who are being discharged.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 5 July 2010
	The Royal Army Medical Corps will provide psychiatric advice, psychological advice, advice on alcohol misuse, advice on drug misuse and advice on behavioural issues if it is needed. The Adjutant General Corps (Education and Training Services) provide advice through specifically trained staff, or by practical workshops, on re-skilling and continued education, on resettlement, on re-employment, and the financial aspects of resettlement.
	These arrangements are complemented by the Chain of Command and welfare staff. All service leavers are made aware of ex-service charities and welfare organisations as part of the process and are able to take advantage of career counselling services up to two years after having left. Lifetime job finding support is available through either the Officers Association or the Regular Forces Employment Association.

Army: Discharges

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what resettlement advice is given before discharge to soldiers who have served fewer than four years; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 5 July 2010
	All service leavers are entitled to some form of resettlement advice. For those early service leavers that have served for fewer than four years this advice is given by a specially trained unit interviewing officer. Issues such as access to ex-service welfare organisations, housing advice, job finding support as well as financial matters are covered. Information is provided by a one to one discussion and a comprehensive information pack. If it is considered necessary, for example those vulnerable to social exclusion, access to a Service Resettlement Advisor will be available.
	For those service leavers, regardless of time served, who are medically discharged a full resettlement package is available through the Career Transition Partnership.

Clyde Submarine Base

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what shortfalls in the Clyde safety management arrangements have been identified by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator at HMNB Clyde; what steps will be taken to address those shortfalls; and when he expects those shortfalls to have been addressed.

Peter Luff: Following an inspection, a demonstration exercise or permissioning of an activity, the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) may identify and agree findings of non-compliance with authorisation conditions. Findings are tracked and reviewed monthly, quarterly or annually depending on their significance.
	DNSR has identified one finding relating to the HMNB Clyde Safety Management Arrangements, which is as follows:
	"The process to define how Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde's Intelligent Customer role is fulfilled needs to be established within Safety Management Arrangements. This process must define the Intelligent Customer function and ensure that stakeholders, such as BAE Systems, MOD Project Teams and other suppliers of supporting services have adequate reciprocal arrangements."
	As a result of this finding, the role of intelligent customer has been addressed through a wider review. The organisational change proposal associated with that review has been endorsed by the Clyde Nuclear Safety Committee and has now been delivered to DNSR for consideration, with the aim of resolving the issue within two to three months.

Defence

Kris Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what opportunities are available for hon. Members and Members of the House of Lords to contribute to the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what opportunities are available for  (a) hon. Members and  (b) Members of the House of Lords to contribute to the strategic defence and security review.

Liam Fox: The Government scheduled a debate on the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) on 21 June. In that debate I invited Members of both Houses to make submissions on the review formally to me. In addition, there will also be further such opportunities in the House to debate the matter before the SDSR concludes.

Departmental Catering

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on catering in each year from 1997 to 2009.

Andrew Robathan: Catering for Ministry of Defence civilian personnel employed at United Kingdom Defence establishments is provided through Regional Prime Contracts administered by Defence Estates or under multi-activity contracts. UK based armed forces personnel are primarily catered for through catering, retail and leisure contracts (incorporating Pay As You Dine arrangements), which are being introduced across the UK. Some 62% of armed forces personnel are catered for under these arrangements. Information on the amount spent on catering under these contracts is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	For United Kingdom armed forces personnel "in barracks" (when personnel are not being fed under catering, retail and leisure contracts), and those serving on operations and overseas exercises, there is a single food supply contract with Purple Foodservice Solutions Ltd. The total value, including the cost of food, administration and transport, for financial years 2001-02 to 2008-09 was as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2001-02 113 
			 2002-03 114 
			 2003-04 139 
			 2004-05 128 
			 2005-06 139 
			 2006-07 135 
			 2007-08 145 
			 2008-09 176 
		
	
	The Department has also procured Operational Ration Packs over the same period for which the cost was as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2001-02 14.6 
			 2002-03 16.6 
			 2003-04 26.7 
			 2004-05 23.7 
			 2005-06 15.6 
			 2006-07 15.3 
			 2007-08 18.1 
			 2008-09 25.4 
		
	
	The figures for the period 1997 to 2000 are not available.

Departmental NDPBs

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the address is of the head office of each non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible.

Andrew Robathan: A copy of the information requested will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many of his Department's contracts with its suppliers are under review as a result of the recently announced reductions in public expenditure; and what the monetary value is of all such contracts which are under review;
	(2)  how many officials in his Department are working on renegotiating contracts for the supply of goods and services to the Department as a result of recently announced reductions in public spending; what savings are expected to accrue to his Department from such renegotiations; how much expenditure his Department will incur on such renegotiations; and when such renegotiations will be completed.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently reviewing all aspects of defence activity as part of the Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). The conclusion of the SDSR is likely to require MOD to renegotiate specific contracts, but no decisions have yet been made. In the interim, MOD is participating in the actions announced by the Chancellor on 24 May to reduce public spending.

Departmental Travel

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) name and  (b) version is of each computer software package used by his Department to calculate its expenditure on travel.

Liam Fox: The Department currently uses two separate systems to calculate expenditure on travel.
	The armed forces use a system called the Joint Personnel Administration System based on Oracle E-Business Suite version 11.5.10. The self-service element used by service personnel to input information is Oracle I-Expenses version 11.5.10. Some travel and subsistence costs are recorded via the payroll function, based on Oracle Payroll version 11.5.10.
	For civilian personnel a system called Human Resources Management Systems, which is a customised version Oracle PeopleSoft version 8.8 is used to authenticate the user's identity and gain access to self-service e-forms. The e-forms provide an interface to the MOD's civilian expenses payments and accounting system known as Compact, which is an in-house developed system including Oracle database version 8.1.7.4.0 and exploiting Oracle Forms 9i and PL/SQL scripts.
	Information from both these systems feed into the Defence Financial Management Information System where the expenditure is recorded under MOD's Resource Accounting Codes.

Guided Weapons

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will propose an agreement with the governments of China, France and Russia to exchange and publish aerial and remote sensing photographs of missile sites in each country.

Liam Fox: The UK does not have any geographically permanent missile sites. The UK shares military information, aerial imagery, with signatories of the open skies agreement, which includes Russia and France, but not China, to promote openness and transparency between treaty members.

NATO: Medals

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider the merits of allowing members of the armed forces to wear the NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal in public.

Andrew Robathan: The official UK medal for Afghanistan is the Operational Service Medal-Afghanistan. Members of the armed forces do not have permission to accept the NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal, because the current policy on medals is that there should be no double medalling.
	The Government will be reviewing the rules governing the award of medals in line with the commitment made in the coalition 'Programme for Government'.

RAF St Athan

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the likely effect on the morale of members of the armed forces and their families of the proposed transfer of naval engineering training facilities to RAF St Athan.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 5 July 2010
	While all activity is subject to the Strategic Defence and Security Review, on current plans HMS Sultan is programmed to be one of the last units to relocate to St Athan, and will do so by 2020. I am very aware how unsettling a move such as this can be, but I am confident that the chain of command will manage the change as smoothly as possible.

Trident Missiles

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will undertake not to seek an update of the Trident D5 system during the period of discussions between China, France, Russia, the UK and the US on future nuclear disarmament following the UN Review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Liam Fox: The 2010 review conference was an important milestone for the UK's long-term vision for a world without nuclear weapons. The UK has made it clear that, as soon as it becomes useful for the UK to include its nuclear stockpiles in broader disarmament negotiations, we stand ready to participate and to act.
	Maintaining the UK's nuclear deterrent beyond the life of the current system is fully consistent with our obligations as a recognised nuclear weapon state under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Therefore, the UK will continue to progress in replacing our existing nuclear deterrent.

Turkey: Military Bases

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to support the denuclearisation of the NATO air base at Incirlik.

Liam Fox: NATO's Strategic Concept (paragraph 63) states that:
	"nuclear forces based in Europe and committed to NATO provide an essential political and military link between the European and the North American members of the Alliance. The Alliance will therefore maintain adequate nuclear forces in Europe."
	www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_27433.htm
	It is NATO and UK policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at a given location.

Weapons

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on animal testing for the purpose of developing weapons.

Peter Luff: Dstl Porton Down undertakes the Ministry of Defence research programme that involves the use of animals. In accordance with Home Office guidance it is Dstl policy that living animals are not used to develop weapons.

JUSTICE

Legal Aid

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of legal aid funding provided by his Department through Shelter UK to support vulnerable families in housing need.

Jonathan Djanogly: Shelter UK, like all holders of the Legal Services Commission (LSC) contracts, undergoes a regular assessment of its performance against the contract. Shelter has also successfully undergone 'Peer Review' which is a quality assurance tool developed and managed by the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in which an experienced practitioner trained in the peer review framework reviews a sample of a supplier's case files to measure the quality of the advice it offers.
	Another indicator of effectiveness is the LSC's key performance indicator (KPI) recording the level of cases that accorded a 'Substantive Benefit' to the client. The purpose of the substantive benefit KPI is to ensure that the cases undertaken by providers are concluded with a definable benefit for the client. This is an indication of the quality of work of the supplier. In the case of cases conducted by Shelter UK, this figure has always been greatly in excess of the required minimum level of 40%.
	By the very nature of legal aid eligibility, the LSC only pays Shelter to deliver cases that focus on and assist the most vulnerable of housing clients.

Care Proceedings

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much time was spent on court time on care hearings in  (a) preparation and  (b) court in each of the last five years.

Jonathan Djanogly: The information requested is unavailable. Information on the in-court time of cases is not collected centrally on administrative data systems. The only means to collect this data would be the inspection of each individual case file which can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Care Proceedings

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how much the Legal Services Commission spent on solicitors' and counsels' fees in care proceedings in the last 12 months for which figures are available;
	(2)  how much the Legal Services Commission spent on psychological and psychiatric assessments in care proceedings in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) spent £252.6 million on certificates in care proceedings on cases that closed in the 12 months ending 31 May 2010. This figure includes solicitor fees, counsel fees, and disbursements. The amounts paid under the disbursement includes the costs of psychiatric and psychological reports where commissioned by the legal service provider.
	However, the LSC do not separately record the costs of psychological and psychiatric assessments from other disbursements incurred in care proceedings. Such assessments are commissioned independently by the solicitors which are, where appropriate, paid for by the LSC as part of the overall disbursements claimed by the solicitors.
	Parents, children and those with parental responsibility are granted legal aid on a non means, non merits tested basis where the local authority issues proceedings for a care order to be made in respect of a child. For other parties who may become involved in the proceedings, such as relatives, funding is also available but a means and merits test will be applied.
	In addition to the costs of solicitors and counsel, disbursements will also be incurred, for expert reports, interpreters etc.

Care Proceedings

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many care proceedings cases reached the threshold for high cost cases in each of the last five years.

Jonathan Djanogly: The following volume of all public law Children Act certificates have been approved for costs of above £25,000, which is the criterion for very high cost case. This covers care and supervision cases. Please note that the costs can cover several certificates where a solicitor is representing a number of siblings.
	
		
			   Certificates 
			 2005-06 1,866 
			 2006-07 1,272 
			 2007-08 (1)613 
			 2008-09 1,280 
			 2009-10 1,774 
			 (1) There was a change in operational procedures in 2006-07 which temporarily reduced the number of certificates approved with costs above £25,000 in advance of the final hearing.

Corruption: Public service

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice who the members are of the Foreign Bribery Strategy Board; and on what dates the Board has met.

Kenneth Clarke: The following Departments and agencies are regular members of the Foreign Bribery Strategy Board:
	Attorney-General's Office, Association of Chief Police Officers, Cabinet Office, City of London Police, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Office, Crown Prosecution Service, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Department for International Development, Export Credit Guarantee Department, Financial Services Authority, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency, Office of Government Commerce, Serious Fraud Office and UK Trade and Investment.
	Other Departments and agencies are invited as required by the agenda.
	The Foreign Bribery Strategy Board has met five times; 11 September 2009, 22 October 2009, 17 December 2009, 27 January 2010 and 21 April 2010.

Council of Europe Prisoner Transfer Convention

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many prisoners he expects to return to  (a) France,  (b) Romania,  (c) the Netherlands,  (d) Lithuania,  (e) Ireland,  (f) Poland,  (g) the Russian Federation and  (h) Latvia to serve their sentences under the Council of Europe Prisoner Transfer Convention in 2010-11;
	(2)  how many prisoners he expects to return to the UK from  (a) France,  (b) Romania,  (c) Netherlands,  (d) Lithuania,  (e) Ireland,  (f) Poland,  (g) Russia and  (h) Latvia in 2010-11 to serve their sentences under the Council of Europe prisoner transfer convention.

Crispin Blunt: The Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons provides for transfer on a voluntary basis. As transfer requires the consent of both states involved and that of the prisoner, it is not possible to estimate how many applications will be approved in 2010-11. However, applications have been received from 49 prisoners who are seeking transfer from the countries listed. See following table.
	
		
			  Country  Number of repatriation applicants 
			 France 6 
			 Latvia 0 
			 Lithuania 0 
			 The Netherlands 26 
			 Poland 0 
			 The Republic of Ireland 14 
			 Romania 1 
			 Russian Federation 2 
		
	
	In addition, since the first of April 2010, five prisoners have been transferred to prisons in The Netherlands and one prisoner has been transferred to Lithuania.

Courts: Closures

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to take account of  (a) socio-economic factors,  (b) geographic factors and  (c) the adequacy of public transport links in the South Wales valleys in his implementation of proposals for the closure of Magistrates' and county courts.

Jonathan Djanogly: The proposals are currently out to public consultation and an initial impact assessment has been produced. The impacts, costs and benefits of the proposed court closures will be considered more fully during the consultation phase and a full impact assessment will be produced alongside the consultation responses.

Courts: Closures

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the likely effect of his proposals to  (a) merge and  (b) close courts on the workload of each remaining magistrate's court.

Jonathan Djanogly: An initial impact assessment has been produced for the consultations. The impacts, costs and benefits of the proposed court closures and bench mergers will be considered more fully during the consultation phase and a full impact assessment will be produced alongside the consultation responses.
	Utilisation rates currently average 64% across the magistrates courts. Courtroom utilisation is the time a courtroom is used, against the hours that a courtroom is available for use. The Government's aim is to increase utilisation of courtroom time to at least 80%. If the proposed closures went ahead and workload was transferred to surrounding courts it is estimated that it would result in a national utilisation rate in the magistrates courts of around 80%.
	Additionally, there was an average of 130 sitting days per county courtroom per year in 2009-10. It is estimated that the proposed closures of county courts would result in an average of around 200 sitting days per county courtroom per year.

Departmental Equality

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much has been spent by his Department  (a) in total and  (b) on staff costs on promoting equality and diversity in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and how many people are employed by his Department for that purpose.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice aims to ensure equality and diversity is at the heart of all we deliver and is an integral part of the work of all our staff.
	Across the various functions of the Ministry there is a range of equality and diversity work being undertaken in different ways as part of policy making, service delivery and staff support.
	However, to disaggregate this annual spend, and estimate percentages devoted to the promotion of equality and diversity across the Ministry could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Driving Offences: Fines

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average fine levied on a person convicted of an offence under section  (a) 14(3) and  (b) 41D of the Road Traffic Act 1988 was in the last 12 months.

Crispin Blunt: The average fine imposed at all courts in England and Wales for offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988, sections 14 and 15, for 2008 (latest available) is given in the table. It is not possible to separately identify section 14(3) from other offences in sections 14 and 15.
	Section 41D gave authority to existing regulations, under the Road vehicles (Construction and use) Regulations 1986, to make certain offences endorsable. The average fine imposed at all courts for these offences are also given in the table.
	Court proceedings data for 2009 are planned for publication on 21 October 2010.
	
		
			  The average fine imposed at all courts for selected offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988( 1)  and Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, England and Wales, 2008( 2,3) 
			  Statute  Offence description  Average fine (£) 
			 Road Traffic Act 1988-sections 14(1) (2) & (3), 15(1)(A) (2) & (4), & 15B. Seat belt offences 66 
			 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986-R.110(1). Use of hand held mobile phone while driving 101 
			 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986-R.110(2). Causing or permitting the use of a mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle 82 
			 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986-R.110(3). Using a mobile phone while supervising the holder of a provisional driving licence to drive a motor vehicle on the road 114 
			 (1) It is not possible to separately identify section 14(3) from other offences in sections 14 and 15. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008.  Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice

Driving Offences: Mobile Phones

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prosecutions there have been of people of each sex in each age group in  (a) England and Wales,  (b) Essex and  (c) Southend for the offence of driving while using a hand-held mobile telephone since the creation of that offence.

Crispin Blunt: The information requested was previously given in an answer to the hon. Gentleman on 8 March 2010,  Official Report, column 86W. The following table, provides data up to 2008 (latest available), is as follows. Data for 2009 are planned for publication on 21 October 2010.
	Court proceedings data are not available at town or parliamentary constituency level.
	
		
			  Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving( 1) , by sex and age, England and Wales and the Essex police force area, 2004 to 2008( 2, 3) 
			  Area  2004  2005  2006  2007( 4)  2008( 5, 6) 
			  England and Wales  
			  Males  
			 Aged 20 and under 16 31 27 374 849 
			 Aged 21 and over 429 1,008 1,282 9,282 22,800 
			 Total 445 1,039 1,309 9,656 23,649 
			  Females  
			 Aged 20 and under 3 3 5 70 165 
			 Aged 21 and over 34 126 137 1,185 3,179 
			 Total 37 129 142 1,255 3,344 
			  Persons  
			 Aged 20 and under 19 34 32 444 1,018 
			 Aged 21 and over 463 1,134 1,419 10,467 26,074 
			 Total 482 1,168 1,451 10,911 27,092 
			  of which:  
			   
			  Essex police force area  
			  Males  
			 Aged 20 and under 2 1 - 14 57 
			 Aged 21 and over 16 35 32 453 1,566 
			 Total 18 36 32 467 1,623 
			  Females  
			 Aged 20 and under 1 - - 9 10 
			 Aged 21 and over 3 5 7 69 274 
			 Total 4 5 7 78 284 
			  Persons  
			 Aged 20 and under 3 1 - 23 67 
			 Aged 21 and over 19 40 39 522 1,847 
			 Total 22 41 39 545 1,914 
			 (1) Statute: Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 - R. 110(1), R. 110(2) and R. 110(3). Introduced 1 December 2003.  Offence description: R.110(1) use of a hand-held mobile phone while driving; R.110(2) causing or permitting the use of a mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle R.110(3) using a mobile phone while supervising the holder of a provisional driving licence to drive a motor vehicle on the road.  (2 )The figures given relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the offence selected is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.  (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  (4) Tough new penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving and for failing to have proper control of a vehicle came into effect on 27 February 2007.  (5) Excludes convictions for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008.  (6) The gender of a defendant proceeded against may not have been reported. These data have been included in the persons only totals. Therefore, the males and females age group totals and sub-totals may not agree with the totals given under persons.   Source:  Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice.

Magistrates' Courts: Bradford

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to extend the operating hours at Bradford Magistrates' Court.

Jonathan Djanogly: One of the purposes of the consultation on the closure of a number of courts is to improve utilisation. Currently HM Courts Service has excess capacity in magistrates' when compared to the demand. As such there are no plans to extend the operating hours, the current operating hours are considered sufficient.

Magistrates' Courts: Bradford

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much unused  (a) physical courtroom capacity and  (b) court time there is at Bradford Magistrates' Court; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of unused capacity at Bradford Magistrates' Court to accommodate current levels of work at Bingley Magistrates' Court.

Jonathan Djanogly: Bradford magistrates court has 10 courtrooms; Keighley magistrates court (sitting at Bingley) has four courtrooms.
	Based on local HMCS management information, for the 12-month period ending 30 April 2010 the average rolling monthly courtroom utilisation rate for Bradford magistrates court was 63.7%. For the same period, the average rolling monthly courtroom utilisation rate for Keighley magistrates court was 70.8%. The utilisation percentages are arrived at by comparing actual court sitting times with the time available (five hours being the length of a court in session for a day).
	In April 2010 the Bradford family proceedings court and family casework moved from the magistrates court to the Bradford combined court where a new hearing room has been created.
	The assessment in light of the above is that there is sufficient capacity at Bradford magistrates court to accommodate the work of the Keighley magistrates court.

Magistrates' Courts: Bradford

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will estimate the initial incidental cost to the public purse of transferring the work of Bingley Magistrates' Court to Bradford Magistrates' Court.

Jonathan Djanogly: Following the public consultation, should the decision be made to close Keighley magistrates court (sitting at Bingley), analysis of the costs and benefits of transferring the work of the court will be included in the impact assessment to be produced after the consultation period.

Magistrates' Courts: Bradford

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will assess the effects on the  (a) cost and  (b) duration of journeys between prison and court of the merging of Bradford Magistrates' Court and Bingley Magistrates' Court.

Jonathan Djanogly: Details of the impacts of any closure on prison journeys will be included in the impact assessment that will be produced following the consultation period.
	It is 12 miles from HMP Leeds to Keighley magistrates court (situated in Bingley) and it would take approximately 24 minutes to travel this distance. It is eight miles from HMP Leeds to Bradford magistrates court and it would take approximately 16 minutes to travel this distance.
	During the three months from March to May 2010 there were 52 prisoner journeys to Bingley. If these journeys were to Bradford rather than Bingley there would be an overall reduction of around £250.

Magistrates Courts: Greater London

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reasons he proposes to merge the local justice areas of Lambeth and Southwark, Croydon and Sutton.

Jonathan Djanogly: The reasons for the proposed local justice area (LJA) mergers in London are set out on page 9 of consultation paper HMCS CP 12/10.
	In inner London, LJAs generally cover two London boroughs; in outer London, LJAs cover one. This constrains our deployment of judiciary and distribution of work load.
	We are consulting on a proposal to reduce the number of LJAs because fewer local Areas will make it possible for us to administer work more efficiently and distribute work more effectively, unconstrained by existing borough boundaries.
	By being able to move work across borough boundaries more easily, to other courts where existing capacity is not fully used, we will improve courtroom utilisation and thereby make better use of courtroom capacity and, in turn, magistrates time. The proposed mergers will also reduce the costs associated with administering the current 28 LJAs and facilitate the more efficient deployment of staff.

Magistrates Courts: Greater London

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of adapting Camberwell Green magistrates court to accommodate work transferred from Tower Bridge magistrates court.

Jonathan Djanogly: While the proposed closure of Tower Bridge magistrates court forms part of the current consultation exercise, it has been under consideration for several years as part of HMCS London Region's aspiration to improve magistrates court facilities and services across central and south London. The strategy that has been developed envisages the replacement of a number of old, inefficient courthouses with three larger, more modern and operationally efficient courthouses. The first of these, the new Westminster magistrates court in Marylebone, is due to open next year.
	Within this overall strategy, the plan for Camberwell Green is to redevelop the site to construct five additional courtrooms. This plan has not been designed solely to facilitate the closure of Tower Bridge magistrates court, although expansion would allow closure and disposal of the freehold courthouse. The key driver is to enable HMCS to improve and modernise the facilities available to court users and generate greater listing flexibility. The operationally-preferred option also creates further capacity for international jurisdiction work in response to significant workload growth in this area of business.
	Indicative costings only exist at present; depending on the expansion option chosen, total works costs range between £9.3 million-£11.5 million. Inevitably the scheme and any consequential closure would only progress once funding becomes available. This will be determined as part of Spending Review deliberations later this year.

National Offender Management Service

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what proportion of senior managers in the National Offender Management Service have a background in  (a) the Probation Service and  (b) the Prison Service.

Crispin Blunt: The prison and probation services operate within the framework of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Agency. For historical reasons the two services have different employment structures. Prison service staff are civil servants and are directly employed by the NOMS Agency. Probation service staff are not civil servants and are employed by a probation trust.
	Information on the career histories of senior managers within NOMS does not include National Probation Service experience. It is therefore not possible, without individually contacting all senior managers, to determine how many have worked in the Probation Service. Probation Service experience is provided by staff on secondment from probation trusts although the number of such staff across NOMS is not recorded.
	Previous experience within Prison Service establishments is recorded. Of the 898 senior managers working in NOMS who are civil servants, 281 (31%) are currently based in prisons, 216 (24%) are currently based in headquarters but have previously served in prison establishments and 401 (45%) have no record of prison experience. Working in an establishment does not necessarily imply a prisoner facing role.

National Offender Management Service: Finance

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how much has been spent on offender management services commissioned by each Director of Offender Management since their inception;
	(2)  what proportion of the expenditure on services commissioned by each Director of Offender Management since their inception was allocated to  (a) voluntary sector and  (b) private sector organisations.

Crispin Blunt: Table 1 as follows shows the amount spent on Offender Management Services commissioned by each Director of Offender Management since their inception on 1 April 2009.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			  Region  Prisons  Probation  Total 
			 South West 178,957,314 66,451,730 245,409,044 
			 West Midlands 196,365,763 98,029,900 294,395,663 
			 London 177,676,936 153,962,000 331,638,936 
			 North East 111,633,668 53,169,841 164,803,509 
			 Wales 91,542,106 58,372,000 149,914,106 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 201,135,803 95,864,000 296,999,803 
			 North West 361,560,346 78,000,695 439,561,041 
			 East of England 199,155,852 72,560,730 271,716,582 
			 South East 356,241,895 101,735,564 457,977,459 
			 East Midlands 248,601,223 68,748,770 317,349,993 
			 Total 2,122,870906 846,895,230 2,969,766,136 
		
	
	Table 2 as follows shows the proportion of the expenditure of services commissioned by each Director of Offender Management allocated to the voluntary sector and private sector organisations. This will include figures contained in Table 1 for Private Sector prisons.
	
		
			  Table 2 
			  Region  Voluntary sector  Private Sector  Total 
			 South West 0 23,141,092 23,141,092 
			 West Midlands 220,000 32,448,310 32,668,310 
			 London 0 0 0 
			 North East 0 0 0 
			 Wales 504,752 45,414,027 45,918,779 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 3,438,803 32,838,000 36,276,803 
			 North West 578,000 133,939,652 134,517,652 
			 East of England 1,736,922 31,292,633 33,029,555 
			 South East 0 24,401,273 24,401,273 
			 East Midlands 31036 45,964,340 45,995,376 
			 Total 6,509,513 369,439,327 375,948,840 
		
	
	The financial data in both tables is actual expenditure for the financial year 2009-10. The information provided is the expenditure directly commissioned by each Director of Management Services.

National Offender Management Service: Manpower

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many senior managers of grades A to D in the Prison Service are employed by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS); and of these how many are based  (a) at NOMS headquarters and  (b) elsewhere.

Crispin Blunt: On 31 March 2010 there are 898 senior managers employed within the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). Of these 281 are based in establishments and 617 are based in NOMS headquarters, which includes offices across the nine English regions and Wales and the National Shared Service Centre.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the address is of the head office of each non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice is responsible for over 30 distinct non department public bodies. I have placed details of the office addresses of each non departmental body for which the Ministry is responsible in the Libraries of both Houses.

Offenders: Rehabilitation

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has spent on  (a) imprisonment and  (b) rehabilitation of offenders under the age of 18 years in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The cost of custody for under-18s reflect the intensive, rehabilitative regime in the under 18 estate-including the delivery of specific rehabilitation activity, for example education and substance misuse programmes.
	The figures in the following table taken from published Youth Justice Board annual reports show the cost of purchasing places and regimes for children and young people in the secure estate.
	
		
			   Cost (£ million) 
			 2004-05 245.804 
			 2005-06 280.801 
			 2006-07 279.148 
			 2007-08 305.711 
			 2008-09 297.952 
		
	
	All services commissioned or delivered by Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) to young people within the criminal justice system are intended to rehabilitate them and address the causes of their offending behaviour.
	The figures in the following table taken from published YJB annual reports show that it allocated the following funding to YOTs for the delivery of such services to 10 to 17-year-olds within the criminal justice system.
	
		
			   Allocated funding (£ million) 
			 2004-05 94.410 
			 2005-06 104.993 
			 2006-07 113.698 
			 2007-08 114.856 
			 2008-09 117.310 
		
	
	The Youth Offending Teams also receive financial contributions from local police, probation and health services; from the local authority; and from the Welsh Assembly Government where appropriate.

Prison Sentences

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people given custodial sentences of less than 12 months in each of the last two years were convicted of each type of offence.

Crispin Blunt: The requested information is provided in the following tables. The data shows the total number of immediate custody of less than 12 months for each offence type and suspended custodial sentences for each offence type.
	
		
			  Number of immediate custodial sentences of less than 12 months, by offence type, 2007-08 
			  Immediate custody  2007  2008 
			 Violence against the person 5,680 6,252 
			 Sexual offences 396 447 
			 Burglary 4,249 4,432 
			 Robbery 663 640 
			 Theft and Handling stolen goods 17,935 19,280 
			 Fraud and forgery 3,434 3,614 
			 Criminal damage 786 616 
			 Drug offences 2,045 2,201 
			 Other indictable (excluding motoring) 6,329 6,181 
			 Indictable motoring offences 1,006 869 
			 Summary non-motoring 13.275 14,086 
			 Summary motoring offences 7,892 6,378 
			 Total 63,690 64,996 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of suspended sentences by offence type, 2007-08 
			  Suspended sentences  2007  2008 
			 Violence against the person 7,167 7,501 
			 Sexual offences 439 424 
			 Burglary 2,405 2,432 
			 Robbery 452 444 
			 Theft and Handling stolen goods 6,700 6,818 
			 Fraud and forgery 2,391 2,780 
			 Criminal damage 525 453 
			 Drug offences 2,678 2,958 
			 Other indictable (excluding motoring) 3,624 3,794 
			 Indictable motoring offences 873 851 
			 Summary non-motoring 7,266 7,696 
			 Summary motoring offences 6,168 5,000 
			 Total 40,688 41,151 
			  Notes: 1. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system 2. This data has been taken from the Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings database. This data is presented on the principal offence basis. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed. Where the same sentence has been imposed for two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe. 3. Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July, and August 2008.  Source: Justice Statistics-Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice

Prison Sentences

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people who were given custodial sentences of up to six months in the latest year for which figures are available were convicted of each offence.

Crispin Blunt: The requested information is available in the following table.
	
		
			  Persons sentenced to immediate custody at all courts by offence 2008 
			  Offence  Up to and including six months  Total immediate custody (all sentence lengths) 
			 Absconding from Lawful Custody 234 291 
			 Abstracting Electricity 19 23 
			 Abuse of trust- sexual offences 11 22 
			 Aggravated Vehicle Taking 342 719 
			 Arson 67 524 
			 Assault: Common, etc 6,698 6,698 
			 Assault: On Constable 1,777 1,778 
			 Assist Entry of Illegal Immigrant 232 402 
			 Bankruptcy Offence 15 27 
			 Betting or Gaming Offence 8 8 
			 Bigamy 2 4 
			 Blackmail 7 124 
			 Brothel Keeping 20 20 
			 Buggery 1 30 
			 Burglary in a Building Other than a Dwelling 2,241 3,250 
			 Burglary in a Dwelling 1,322 6,446 
			 Causing Death by Reckless Driving 1 206 
			 Child Abduction 1 22 
			 Criminal Damage Endangering Life 6 42 
			 Cruelty to Animal 71 71 
			 Cruelty to or Neglect of Children 40 133 
			 Dangerous Driving 479 1,386 
			 Disclosure, obstruction, false or misleading statements 16 17 
			 Disorderly Behaviour 5 5 
			 Driving licence related offences: Making false statements 2 2 
			 Drug Offence 47 47 
			 Drunkenness, with Aggravation 6 6 
			 Education Acts 28 28 
			 Endangering Life at Sea 1 1 
			 Endangering Railway Passenger 5 11 
			 Exploitation of Prostitution 9 51 
			 Failing to Surrender to Bail 2,343 2,347 
			 False Accounting 13 61 
			 Familial Sexual Offences (Incest) 1 72 
			 Firearms Act Offence 102 581 
			 Firearms Acts 32 32 
			 Fishery Acts 2 2 
			 Forgery etc. of Drug Prescription 7 12 
			 Fraud, Forgery etc associated with Vehicle or Driver Records 8 9 
			 Going Equipped for Stealing, etc. 395 441 
			 Gross Indecency with Children 2 38 
			 Handling Stolen Goods 1,055 1,498 
			 Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 5 8 
			 Immigration Offence 40 40 
			 Interference with Motor Vehicles 298 298 
			 Kidnapping, etc. 2 310 
			 Miscellaneous sexual offences 87 172 
			 Money laundering offences 96 408 
			 Naval, Military and Air Force Law - Army 1 1 
			 Offence against Public Order 1,381 1,383 
			 Offences involving impersonation 1 1 
			 Offences Relating to Dogs 10 10 
			 Other (Excluding Motoring Offences) 160 319 
			 Other Criminal Damage 425 496 
			 Other drug offences 56 478 
			 Other Forgery etc. 1,049 3,338 
			 Other Fraud 1,065 2,211 
			 Other Offence 2 2 
			 Other Offence against the Liquor Law 3 3 
			 Other Offence against the State or Public Order 835 2,030 
			 Other Summary Offence (Excluding Motoring) 1,212 1,213 
			 Other Theft or Unauthorised Taking 1,543 1,729 
			 Other Wounding etc. 4,629 10,368 
			 Perjury 19 46 
			 Perverting the Course of Justice 429 797 
			 Possession of a controlled drug - Class A 870 985 
			 Possession of a controlled drug - Class B 108 114 
			 Possession of a controlled drug - Class C 296 316 
			 Possession of a controlled drug - Class unspecified 5 11 
			 Possession of Obscene Material etc. 135 515 
			 Procuring Illegal Abortion 1 1 
			 Production, supply and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug - Class A 116 4,984 
			 Production, supply and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug - Class B 45 379 
			 Production, supply and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug - Class C 275 1,179 
			 Production, supply and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug - Class unspecified 1 278 
			 Prostitution - Kerb Crawling 42 42 
			 Protection from Eviction Act 1977. 1 1 
			 Public Health 6 11 
			 Railway Offence 11 11 
			 Robbery 317 5,095 
			 Sexual activity etc. with a person with a mental disorder 1 14 
			 Sexual Activity with child under 13 7 105 
			 Sexual Activity with child under 16 17 467 
			 Sexual Assault on a Female 139 991 
			 Sexual Assault on a Male 8 131 
			 Sexual Offences- Miscellaneous 1 1 
			 Social Security Offence 31 31 
			 Stage Carriage or Public Service Vehicle Offence 4 4 
			 Summary Aggravated Vehicle Taking 349 351 
			 Summary Criminal or Malicious Damage Offence 1,253 1,253 
			 Summary Motoring Offences 6,377 6,378 
			 Theft by an Employee 133 305 
			 Theft from Automatic Machine or Meter 53 73 
			 Theft from Shops 12,390 12,584 
			 Theft from the Person of Another 1,324 1,957 
			 Theft from Vehicle 1,020 1,073 
			 Theft in Dwelling not Automatic Machine or Meter 229 259 
			 Theft of Motor Vehicle 198 255 
			 Theft of Pedal Cycle 91 91 
			 Theft or Unauthorised Taking from Mail 22 34 
			 Threat etc., to commit Criminal Damage 66 95 
			 Threat or Conspiracy to Murder 37 201 
			 Trade Descriptions Act and Similar Offences 232 290 
			 Unauthorised Taking of a Conveyance 691 691 
			 Unlawful exportation - Class unspecified 1 3 
			 Unlawful importation - Class A 1 525 
			 Unlawful importation - Class B 1 19 
			 Unlawful importation - Class C 4 169 
			 Unlawful importation - Class unspecified 2 26 
			 Unlawful Possession 1 1 
			 Vagrancy Offences - Begging 1 1 
			 Vagrancy Offences - Found In Enclosed Premises 55 55 
			 Vehicle insurance offences: Making false statements 4 5 
			 Video Recording Act 1984 2 2 
			 Violent Disorder 54 349 
			 Wounding or other act Endangering Life 27 1,632 
			  Notes: 1. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. 2. This data has been taken from the Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings database. This data is presented on the principal offence basis. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed. Where the same sentence has been imposed for two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe. 3. Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July, and August 2008.  Source:  Justice Statistics - Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice Ref: PQ(JSAS) 6084 (02/07/2010)

Prison Service: Contracts

Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many suppliers were contracted to supply fresh produce to the Prison Service in each year since 2004; and how many of those suppliers were located in the Prison Service area they were contracted to supply;
	(2)  what the cost to the public purse was of purchasing fresh produce for the Prison Service in each year since 2004.

Crispin Blunt: The number of suppliers contracted to supply fresh produce to prisons between 2004 and 2007 was 18. Suppliers determined the list of prisons they preferred to supply during the tender process which was evaluated against predetermined criteria. Subsequently, contracts were awarded to suppliers on a regional and/or national basis dependant on their location and capability to fulfil our requirements to ensure the most cost effective and best value for money option achieved. All prisons had a minimum of two local suppliers to choose from on a weekly basis to purchase their requirements. The full list of suppliers is shown as follows.
	 Supplier names
	A David & Co. Ltd
	Augro Fresh Ltd
	Bristol Fruit Sales
	F W Gedney
	G W Price Ltd
	Greenvale AP plc
	Histon Produce Co. Ltd
	Hopelake Food Group
	John Palin Ltd
	M J Morris & Son Ltd
	Minor Weir & Willis Ltd
	Peachey Catering Services Ltd
	R S Cockerill Ltd
	Redbridge Produce and Flowers Ltd
	S T Holmes
	Swithenbank Foods
	Thomas Baty Ltd
	Tom Mitchell Ltd
	In 2007, a national framework contract was awarded to 3663 First for Foodservice, which includes the provision of fresh fruit and vegetables. 3663 fulfil this requirement of national supply through 13 regional depots. This contract is in place until May 2011.
	The cost to the public purse for the provision of fresh produce in prisons in each year from 2004 is detailed as follows.
	
		
			  Financial year (April-March)  Spend (£) 
			 2004-05 n/a 
			 2005-06 8,342,033 
			 2006-07 9,045,572 
			 2007-08 9,057,806 
			 2008-09 9,444,015 
			 2009-10 8,552,184 
			 2010-11(1) 2,198,534 
			 n/a = Not available (1) Spend from April-June 2010 
		
	
	Prior to the introduction of our electronic purchasing system in 2007, spend data from suppliers was held regionally and relied on suppliers submitting information on a regular basis. Consistent information was centrally collated from the start of the 2005 financial year and therefore, spend information for the 2004 financial year in not available from our central office.

Prison Service: Retirement

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on raising the retirement age for prison officers.

Iain Wright: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) does not have any current plans to increase the retirement age for prison officers. A new retirement policy was implemented in March 2010 in response to Permanent Secretaries decision to reduce the use of mandatory retirement ages in the civil service.
	NOMS currently operates a normal retirement age of 65 for all prison officer grades. Staff subject to a normal retirement age are entitled to request an extension of service beyond this age, and to a right of appeal where a request is declined.

Prisons: Drugs

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to improve drug treatment facilities in prisons.

Crispin Blunt: This Government recognise that drug treatment is essential if we are to tackle the social and health costs caused by drugs. However, more needs to be done to help drug misusers to recover from their addiction and get into steady housing and employment. We believe the balance of treatment currently has tipped too far towards maintaining drug users' addictions.
	A comprehensive framework of drug treatment is in place in prisons to address the drug needs of all offenders. This comprises clinical services, psychosocial interventions, case management and through care services.
	Through a phased introduction that began in 2006, the Integrated Drug Treatment System (IDTS) is bringing improvements to the quality of prison treatment. Department of Health funding has risen to around £45 million in 2010-11, with IDTS due to be rolled out to all English adult prisons by March 2011.
	We will explore the best ways to help more offenders get off drugs for good and into a position where they can stop offending and make a proper contribution to society. We will consider all viable options in the context of a full review of sentencing and rehabilitation policy.

Probation

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was spent on probation services commissioned by each probation trust in the latest year for which information is available; and what proportion of that funding was allocated to  (a) the National Probation Service,  (b) the voluntary sector and  (c) the private sector.

Crispin Blunt: The following table provides the expenditure for probation services commissioned by the 8 probation trusts that were in existence in 2009-10 financial year.
	
		
			  Trust  Delivered internally  Voluntary sector  Private sector  Local authorities  Total 
			 West Mercia Trust 16,710,000 570,000 63,000 361,000 17,704,000 
			 South Wales Probation Trust 24,239,000 1,332,000 146,000 0 25,717,000 
			 Dyfed Powys Probation Trust 8,260,000 559,000 17,000 0 8,836,000 
			 Humberside 14,100,000 700,000 0 200,000 15,000,000 
			 Manchester 51,821,771 446,056 629,263 103,977 53,001,067 
			 Merseyside 30,434,000 270,000 173,000 175,000 31,052,000 
			 Lancashire 23,032,674 210,120 313,406 509,425 24,065,625 
			 Leicestershire 14,377,500 320,200 358,100 268,200 15,324,000 
			 Total 182,974,945 4,407,376 1,699,769 1,617,602 190,699,692 
		
	
	The figures for the response to proportion allocated to  (a) the National Probation Service have been provided as allocated for services delivered internally. For the sake of clarity the table also shows where individual trusts commission services from local authorities.

Young Offenders

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department and its predecessor spent on preventative measures to tackle youth offending in the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The figures in the following table are taken from published Youth Justice Board annual reports show the incurred expenditure on specific prevention programmes for the last five years. This does not include significant investment on prevention from the Home Office and Department for Education, or local investment in prevention programmes:
	
		
			   Incurred expenditure (£ million) 
			 2004-05 8.24 
			 2005-06 10.135 
			 2006-07 23.728 
			 2007-08 32.402 
			 2008-09 36.479 
		
	
	The YJB annual accounts for 2009-10 will be published later this month.

Young Offenders: Special Educational Needs

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many young offenders with (a) statemented and  (b) non-statemented special educational needs have been placed in young offender institutions in each of the last 10 years.

Crispin Blunt: These data are not collected centrally. In the research for Evaluation of Asset, carried out but Oxford University for the Youth Justice Board in 2002, 25% of the sample of young offenders had special needs identified, and just over 60% of those had a statement of special educational needs (SEN).

HEALTH

Arthritis: Health Services

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will include the care of rheumatoid arthritis as a priority in the next iteration of his Department's world class commissioning assurance framework.

Paul Burstow: There are no plans for a further iteration of the commissioning assurance framework.
	The 'Coalition: our programme for government' document confirms this Government's intention to strengthen the power of GPs as patients' expert guides through the health system by enabling them to commission care on their behalf. We will bring forward more detailed proposals in due course.

Complementary Medicine: Expenditure

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has made an estimate of the expenditure by each NHS primary care trust on commissioning  (a) homeopathic and  (b) chiropractic therapies in each of the last 10 years.

Anne Milton: Data on spending in these areas is not routinely collected by the Department. Decisions on the commissioning and funding of any treatment are the responsibility of local national health service organisations. Issues such as safety, clinical and cost effectiveness, and the availability of suitably qualified/regulated practitioners need to be taken into account when making such decisions.

Food: Fat and Salt

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to encourage  (a) food manufacturers,  (b) caterers and  (c) food producers to reduce the amount of saturated fat in food products;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure  (a) food producers and  (b) caterers continue to reduce the salt content of commonly consumed foods.

Paul Burstow: The Government recognise the extensive work already carried out to encourage the food industry to reduce levels of salt and saturated fat in food, and the significant achievements that have been made by all sectors of the food industry.
	We are committed to improving public health, and we will continue to engage with the food industry on areas such as product reformulation.
	The Food Standards Agency has a programme in place to reduce salt intakes in the United Kingdom from levels of around 9.5g (in 2000-01) to no more than 6g/day for adults, and lower levels for children. To achieve this objective work has been undertaken with the UK food industry, including caterers, to reduce levels of salt in food; a public awareness campaign has been run to inform consumers of why a high salt intake is bad for health and what they can do to reduce their intakes; and signpost labelling is provided to consumers on food labels to help them make informed choices.

Health Hazards: Radon Gas

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice is available to householders on the dangers of radon gas; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The Health Protection Agency's (HPA) Radiation Protection Division provides advice on risks from all types of radiation including radon gas. The HPA has recently created a new website:
	www.ukradon.org
	which also hosts the new radon map developed in collaboration with the British Geological Survey. HPA specifically targets high risk areas with roadshows and campaigns and provide free measurements to householders in these areas; and to mitigate houses that are found to have extremely high readings.

Health Services

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of treatments available through the NHS his Department classifies as fully evidence-based.

Simon Burns: The Department does not hold a central list of treatments available through the national health service.

Health Services: Standards

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that patient satisfaction outcomes are considered in the commissioning of NHS services.

Simon Burns: This Government are committed to putting patients at the heart of the national health service, and focussing the NHS on delivering better outcomes for patients. This focus on outcomes will include improving the experience of patients. We will be bringing forward proposals on this area in due course.

Homeopathy: Expenditure

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the total NHS budget was spent on homeopathic services in the last 10 years.

Anne Milton: Data on spending on homeopathic services as a whole are not routinely collected by the Department.

James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses the James Paget University Hospitals Foundation Trust has employed in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: The following table shows headcount for qualified nurses, midwifery and health visiting staff at St James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as at 30 September each year.
	
		
			   2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 
			 Qualified staff 795 760 780 839 867 
			 Qualified Bank staff 116 14 51 82 84 
			 Grand total 911 774 831 921 951 
			  Notes: 1. This shows qualified nursing staff totalled and split by qualified nursing substantive staff and qualified bank nursing staff. 2. Banking nursing staff are employees of a trust or wider national health service (e.g. through NHS Professionals) who work on an ad-hoc basis. This could include staff working only as Bank staff, or substantive employees who also work some additional time through the bank system.  Source: Information Centre for health and social care.

James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cardiology operations at James Paget University Hospitals Foundation Trust have been cancelled in the last 12 months.

Simon Burns: We are advised that The James Paget Hospital University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust does not undertake any cardiology operations.

James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time in the accident and emergency department at James Paget University Hospitals Foundation Trust was in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: Information is not collected in the format requested.
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) accident and emergency (A&E) data is only available from 2007-08. The following table sets out the mean and median duration to departure times in minutes for James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for 2007-08 and 2008-09.
	
		
			   Mean duration to departure (minutes)  Median duration to departure (minutes)  Number of attendances recorded 
			 2007-08 112 97 61,236 
			 2008-09 123 111 61,753 
			  Notes: 1. The table shows average A&E duration to departure times in minutes for James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust from 2007-08 to 2008-09. 2. Duration to Departure: The time (expressed as a whole number of minutes) between the patient's arrival and the time the A&E attendance has concluded and the department is no longer responsible for the care of the patient. 3. Number of attendances recorded: An attendance is a record for every patient that attends an A&E department, including a major A&E department, single specialty A&E departments, walk-in centres and minor injuries units. Any one patient can have multiple attendances, which may be in the same or different time periods, for the same or different condition. 4. A&E Data Quality:HES are compiled from data sent by a number of national health service providers across England. The NHS Information centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. The A&E HES publications address some of the key data quality and coverage issues. These are available on HES online at: www.hesonline.nhs.uk  Source:  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care.

James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many avoidable deaths occurred at James Paget University Hospitals Foundation Trust in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many deaths resulting from complications during surgery there have been at James Paget University Hospitals Foundation Trust in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: The information requested is a matter for James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We have written to John Hemming, chair of James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, informing him of the hon. Friend's enquiry. He will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been prosecuted for attacks on staff at James Paget University Hospitals Foundation Trust in the last 12 months.

Simon Burns: The James Paget University Hospitals Foundation Trust has reported no prosecutions for attacks on staff in the last 12 months.

Muscular Dystrophy: Social Services

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that muscular dystrophy care advisors are appointed in each region.

Paul Burstow: The national health service in England has agreed to create further care co-ordinator roles, as well as take over the funding of those posts currently funded by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. This will bring the complement of care- co-ordinator posts in England to 16.

NHS: Standards

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Care Quality Commission to publish the outcomes of its next set of annual health checks for health providers and commissioners.

Simon Burns: In October, for benchmarking purposes the Care Quality Commission intends to publish 2009-10 performance by national health service organisations against each of the indicators set out in the NHS Operating Framework.

Patient Choice Schemes

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Choose and Book system in widening patient choice.

Simon Burns: The February 2010 'National Patient Choice Survey', published on 30 June, shows that of those patients offered a choice of hospital, 73% booked their appointment through Choose and Book. The choice of date and time varied by method of booking, with 26% of those who booked when the hospital contacted them being offered a choice of date and time, compared with 41% of those booked through Choose and Book in the surgery, 56% of those calling an appointments line and 85% of those booking via Choose and Book on the internet.

Primary Care Trusts: Finance

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to announce his decision on the allocation of funding to primary care trusts in financial years  (a) 2011-12,  (b) 2012-13 and  (c) 2013-14.

Simon Burns: The coalition agreement commits to increases in health spending in real terms in each year of the Parliament. Final departmental spending plans will be announced in the Spending Review in the autumn. Then the NHS operating framework for 2011-12 will set out the detail of both revenue and capital allocations in this revised funding context.

Strategic Health Authorities: Translation Services

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much each  (a) strategic health authority and  (b) primary care trust spent on translation services in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: When planning such services, national health service bodies should take due account of their legal duties, the composition of the communities they serve, and the needs and circumstances of their patients, service users and local populations.
	NHS bodies are not required to report their planned or actual spending on interpretation and translation services to the Department.

Strokes: Health Services

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will discuss with voluntary sector providers the effect on stroke survivors and carers of ending ring-fenced funding for the National Stroke Strategy.

Simon Burns: Arrangements are being made for me to meet representatives of the Stroke Association where a range of issues will be discussed.

Strokes: Health Services and Education

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what funding he plans to allocate to strategic health authorities for stroke service development in the next financial year;
	(2)  what funding he plans to allocate to raising public and professional awareness of stroke in the next financial year.

Simon Burns: Funding allocations from 2011-12 to 2014-15 will be subject to the spending review, which will be announced in October.

TREASURY

Banks: Finance

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects each contribution from the Exchequer to banks in which UK Financial Investments Ltd has a stake to be repaid; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: UK Financial Investments Ltd. (UKFI) was set up by the Government to manage its investments in financial institutions at arm's length and on a commercial basis. UKFI's strategy for managing and ultimately divesting the investments over time is available at:
	www.ukfi.co.uk

Business: Insolvency

Therese Coffey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of businesses were entered into insolvency by HM Revenue and Customs in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and in how many such cases HM Revenue and Customs was the sole creditor.

David Gauke: The number of bankruptcy and company winding up orders granted to HMRC in England and Wales from April 2009 to March 2010 was around 6,150 which equates to around 8% of those granted overall.
	The other information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Child Benefit

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) mothers receive child benefit and  (b) children trigger payments of child benefit in Makerfield constituency.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) mothers receive child benefit and  (b) children trigger payments in Worsley and Eccles South constituency.

Kate Green: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many mothers receive child benefit in Stretford and Urmston constituency; and how many children trigger child benefit payments in that constituency.

Ann McKechin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) mothers receive child benefit and  (b) children trigger child benefit payments in (i) Glasgow North and (ii) Ealing Central and Acton constituency.

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) mothers receive child benefit and  (b) children trigger payments of child benefit in (i) Slough, (ii) Salisbury and (iii) Scarborough and Whitby constituency.

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many mothers receive child benefit in Houghton and Sunderland South constituency; and how many children trigger child benefit payments in that constituency.

Diana Johnson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many mothers in Kingston upon Hull North constituency are in receipt of child benefit; and how many children trigger such payments.

David Gauke: The latest information on the number of families receiving child benefit, by each parliamentary constituency, local authority and region is available in the HMRC snapshot publication "Child Benefit Statistics Geographical Analysis, August 2009". This can be found at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child_benefit/chb-geog-aug09.pdf

Child Care Tax Credit

Ian Lavery: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in  (a) Wansbeck constituency and  (b) the UK are in receipt of the childcare element of tax credits.

Frank Roy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Motherwell and Wishaw constituency are in receipt of child tax credits.

David Gauke: The latest information on the number of families with children benefiting from the childcare element of tax credits, by each parliamentary constituency and region, is available in the HMRC snapshot publication "Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Geographical Analyses. April 2010". This can be found at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-apr2010.pdf

Departmental Lost Property

Pete Wishart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what property has been recorded as  (a) lost and  (b) stolen from the Department in the last 12 months; and what estimate has been made of the cost of the replacement of that property.

Justine Greening: The following items of HM Treasury property were reported lost or stolen during the 12 months ending December 2009:
	
		
			  Property lost or stolen in 2009 
			   Description 
			 Lost 3 Blackberry mobile devices, 4 laptop USB tokens 
			 Stolen 2 BlackBerry mobile devices, 1 remote access unit, 1 laptop case, 1 PC mouse, 1 filing cabinet key 
		
	
	The total cost of replacement is estimated at £2,100.

Government Departments: Procurement

Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to recoup any shortfall in his predicted savings from renegotiations of contracts with suppliers of goods and services to Government Departments.

Francis Maude: I have been asked to reply.
	Work being carried out across Government to renegotiate contracts within individual Departments is being augmented by a centrally led programme of work to engage in commercial negotiations on a pan Government basis. This is one strand that the Efficiency and Reform Group is taking forward to enable savings centrally.
	Other strands include centralising procurement, driving down the cost of the Government estate and reducing unnecessary spend on consultancy and advertising. The Government will be driving each strand aggressively to deliver the maximum benefit across the planned initiatives and ensure that as much money as possible can be directed towards our priorities.

Housing: Rents

Helen Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the  (a) 50th percentile rent for (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five-bedroom properties in 2010-11 and  (b) 30th percentile rent for each type of property in (A) Bishop Auckland and (B) Blackpool North and Cleveleys constituency.

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the level of  (a) 50th percentile rents in 2010-11 and  (b) 30th percentile rents in 2011-12 for (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five bedroom properties in West Lancashire constituency.

Kate Green: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the level of  (a) 50th percentile and  (b) 30th percentile rents in 2011-12 for (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five-bedroom properties in Stretford and Urmston constituency.

David Gauke: The 50th percentile rents for each category is the local housing allowance (LHA) median rate which is published each month. These rates are available at:
	http://www.voa.gov.uk/LHADirect/lha-rates-england.htm
	The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has published the indicative 30(th) percentile rates in each bedroom category for Broad Rental Market Areas (BRMA) in England on its website:
	http://www.voa.gov.uk/LHADirect/LHA-emergency-budget-news-2010.htm
	This information is based on data used to produce the June 2010 LHA rates. LHA rates are produced for BRMAs which do not equate to constituency areas.

Pregnant Women: Grants

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many health in pregnancy grants were made in Makerfield constituency in 2009-10;

Kate Green: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many health in pregnancy grants were made in Stretford and Urmston constituency in 2009-10;

Ann McKechin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many health in pregnancy grants were made in  (a) Glasgow North and  (b) the area covered by Ealing Central and Acton constituency in 2009-10;

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many health in pregnancy grants were made to people in  (a) Slough,  (b) Salisbury and  (c) Scarborough and Whitby constituency in 2009-10.

David Gauke: Geographical analysis of the number of people benefiting from the Health in Pregnancy grant has not previously been undertaken and therefore this information is only available at disproportionate cost.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Numbers

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements are in place for the payment of charges for calls to the 0845 numbers used by HM Revenue and Customs.

David Gauke: HMRC does not receive any revenue directly through the use of 0845 numbers.
	HMRC's Contact Centre telephony is provided through a commercial arrangement called the Telephony Managed Service. This takes account of the in-payments HMRC's telephony service provider receives from licensed operators carrying 0845 calls. The arrangement ensures that the Telephony Managed Service is provided at the lowest cost while remaining flexible enough to adapt to business and customer needs.
	HMRC is aware that the cost of calling its 0845 helplines can be an issue for some of its customers. HMRC is in the process of carrying out an in depth review of its telephone numbering strategy, looking at ways to reduce the costs to customers while balancing the costs to HMRC and the performance of its Contact Centre network.

VAT: Audio Recordings

Julian Huppert: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much value added tax was paid on the sale of audio books in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

David Gauke: This information is not available. HM Revenue and Customs does not collect data on VAT raised from sales of this type of goods.

Welfare Tax Credits

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households receive tax credits in Makerfield constituency.

Kate Green: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households receive tax credits in Stretford and Urmston constituency.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in Worsley and Eccles South constituency receive tax credits.

Ann McKechin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in  (a) Glasgow North and  (b) Ealing Central and Acton constituency receive tax credits.

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in  (a) Slough,  (b) Salisbury and  (c) Scarborough and Whitby constituency are in receipt of tax credits.

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households receive tax credits in Houghton and Sunderland South constituency.

Diana Johnson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in Kingston upon Hull North constituency are in receipt of tax credits.

David Gauke: The latest information on the number of families with children benefiting from Child and Working Tax Credits, by each parliamentary constituency, local authority and region is available in the HMRC snapshot publication "Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Geographical Analyses. April 2010". This can be found at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-apr2010.pdf

Welfare Tax Credits: Motherwell

Frank Roy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Motherwell and Wishaw constituency in the income band  (a) £10,000 to £20,000,  (b) £21,000 to £30,000,  (c) £31,000 to £40,000,  (d) £41,000 to £50,000,  (e) £51,000 to £60,000 and  (f) £60,000 or more are in receipt of tax credits.

David Gauke: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Motherwell and Wishaw constituency families in receipt of tax credits by income band 
			  Household income  Number 
			 £10,000 to £20,000 2,360 
			 £20,000 to £30,000 1,250 
			 £30,000 to £40,000 1,490 
			 £40,000 to £50,000 880 
			 £50,000+ 410 
		
	
	The income bands over £50,000 have been combined because the numbers in the individual categories would be disclosive.
	These estimates are based on provisional information on families receiving tax credits as at April 2010. Further details about these data can be found in the HMRC snapshot publication "Child and Working Tax Credits. Geographical Analysis, April 2010". This is available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm

EDUCATION

Academies: Coventry

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which schools in Coventry have submitted an application for academy status.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 23 June 2010
	No schools in Coventry have yet applied.

Academies: GCSE

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of year 11 academy school pupils was entered for  (a) history GCSE,  (b) geography GCSE,  (c) a modern foreign language GCSE,  (d) physics GCSE,  (e) chemistry GCSE,  (f) biology GCSE,  (g) science GCSE,  (h) GCSE English (1) language and (2) literature, (i) mathematics GCSE, (j) OCR National level 2 in ICT and (k) diploma in digital applications in 2008-09.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Academies  Number of pupils at the end of KS4 entering for at least one full GCSE  Percentage of pupils at the end of KS4 entering for at least one full GCSE 
			  (a) History 4,137 20.9 
			  (b) Geography 3,354 17.0 
			  (c) Modern Foreign Language 5,160 26.1 
			  (d) Physics 1,657 8.4 
			  (e) Chemistry 1,686 8.5 
			  (f) Biology 1,858 9.4 
			  (g) Core Science 12,693 64.2 
			  (h) 1 English Literature 12,780 64.7 
			  (h) 2 English 19,159 96.3 
			  (i) Mathematics 19,510 98.1 
			  (j) OCR National Level 2 in ICT 2,315 11.7 
			  (k) Diploma in Digital Applications 272 1.4 
			  Notes: 1.  (a) to  (i) include full academic GCSEs or double awards where applicable. All other equivalent qualifications are not included. 2.  (j) Includes OCR National Awards and Certificates in ICT. 3.  (k) Includes Edexcel Level 1 and Level 2 Diplomas in Digital Applications.

Academies: GCSE

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of key stage four examination entries in each academy school in 2008-09 was for a GCSE, excluding applied GCSEs.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is presented in the following table:
	
		
			  Proportion of volume( 1 ) of entries by pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 that are GCSEs in 2008/09 by school 
			  School Name  Percentage 
			 St Pauls Academy 80.6 
			 Mossbourne Community Academy 68.3 
			 Burlington Danes Academy 79.9 
			 City of London Academy - Islington 74.6 
			 Lambeth Academy 85.3 
			 Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College 78.9 
			 Haberdashers' Aske's Knights Academy 50.5 
			 St Matthew Academy 68.3 
			 City of London Academy (Southwark) 79.4 
			 Harris Academy at Peckham 59.8 
			 Harris Academy Bermondsey 57.2 
			 Harris Girls' Academy East Dulwich 57.7 
			 Walworth Academy 68.8 
			 St Michael and All Angels C of E Academy 55.2 
			 Bacon's College 96.7 
			 Globe Academy 70.5 
			 Ashcroft Technology Academy 64.8 
			 Paddington Academy 53.3 
			 Westminster Academy 53.2 
			 Pimlico Academy 82.9 
			 London Academy 66.9 
			 The Business Academy Bexley 58.6 
			 Harris Academy Falconwood 42.9 
			 Capital City Academy 72.6 
			 Harris Academy South Norwood 40.9 
			 Harris City Academy Crystal Palace 85.0 
			 Oasis Academy - Coulsdon 81.6 
			 West London Academy 66.3 
			 Greig City Academy 66.3 
			 Stockley Academy 63.2 
			 The Harefield Academy 55.6 
			 Harris Academy Merton 51.5 
			 St Marks Church of England Academy 73.2 
			 Walthamstow Academy 70.3 
			 Grace Academy Coventry 48.7 
			 Shireland Collegiate Academy 52.0 
			 George Salter Collegiate Academy 34.4 
			 Q3 Academy 77.9 
			 RSA Academy 45.0 
			 Grace Academy Solihull 73.0 
			 CTC Kingshurst Academy 47.9 
			 Walsall Academy 61.4 
			 Shelfield Community Academy 37.7 
			 The Academy of St Francis of Assisi 54.8 
			 North Liverpool Academy 32.2 
			 The Belvedere Academy 99.8 
			 Essa Academy 67.7 
			 Manchester Academy 69.0 
			 William Hulme's Grammar School 95.0 
			 St Anne's Academy 50.0 
			 Salford City Academy 68.0 
			 Oasis Academy MediaCityUK 62.5 
			 Stockport Academy 70.2 
			 New Charter Academy 52.8 
			 The Barnsley Academy 33.0 
			 Trinity Academy 48.9 
			 Sheffield Park Academy 45.6 
			 Sheffield Springs Academy 41.4 
			 Dixons City Academy 65.9 
			 Bradford Academy 56.8 
			 David Young Community Academy 48.7 
			 Excelsior Academy 46.3 
			 Academy 360 66.2 
			 The City Academy Bristol 56.2 
			 Bristol Brunei Academy 58.1 
			 Bristol Cathedral Choir School 94.2 
			 Colston's Girls' School 99.5 
			 Merchants' Academy 44.9 
			 Oasis Academy Bristol 61.1 
			 Oasis Academy Brightstowe 54.5 
			 John Cabot Academy 74.2 
			 Unity City Academy 41.6 
			 The King's Academy 67.6 
			 Macmillan Academy 70.7 
			 Archbishop Sentamu Academy 36.2 
			 Oasis Academy Immingham 41.5 
			 Oasis Academy Wintringham 54.9 
			 Havelock Academy 56.1 
			 St Lawrence Academy 60.2 
			 Barnfield West Academy Luton 34.9 
			 Barnfield South Academy Luton 64.5 
			 Landau Forte College 71.5 
			 St Aidans Church of England Academy 59.7 
			 Oasis Academy Lord's Hill 57.8 
			 Oasis Academy Mayfield 75.7 
			 Swindon Academy 81.7 
			 John Madejski Academy 45.9 
			 The Langley Academy 71.4 
			 Thomas Deacon Academy 53.8 
			 New Rickstones Academy 76.6 
			 Greensward Academy 53.4 
			 Maltings Academy 68.1 
			 The Gateway Academy 46.2 
			 Hereford Academy 34.2 
			 Steiner Academy Hereford 100.0 
			 The Marlowe Academy 37.4 
			 Folkestone Academy 53.2 
			 Marsh Academy 50.5 
			 The Leigh Technology Academy 39.6 
			 Spires Academy 37.1 
			 New Line Learning Academy 44.6 
			 Cornwallis Academy 53.2 
			 Longfield Academy 80.5 
			 Accrington Academy 53.7 
			 Darwen Aldridge Community Academy 61.7 
			 Samworth Church Academy 65.7 
			 Djanogly City Academy Nottingham 42.4 
			 Madeley Academy 46.8 
			 Abraham Darby 58.7 
			 Richard Rose Morton Academy 56.2 
			 Richard Rose Central Academy 75.5 
			 West Lakes Academy 75.3 
			 Priory Witham Academy 27.5 
			 Priory City of Lincoln Academy 49.9 
			 Priory Academy LSST 59.4 
			 Trent Valley Academy 56.2 
			 The Open Academy 70.4 
			 Northampton Academy 68.4 
			 Corby Business Academy 46.6 
			 Brooke Weston Academy 61.2 
			 North Oxfordshire Academy 36.5 
			 Oxford Academy 70.9 
			 Midhurst Rother College 75.3 
			 England (all schools) 75.4 
			  Note: 1. Volume is the number of GCSEs that are equivalent to a qualification or set of qualifications - for example a GCSE double award contributes two to the overall volume while a short course contributes a half.

Children in Care

Edward Timpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his proposals for a pupil premium will include funding for looked-after children.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 21 June 2010
	The Government are committed to the introduction of a pupil premium for disadvantaged children, and we will bring forward our proposals in due course.

Children: Carers

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent research his Department has commissioned on the number of young carers.

Tim Loughton: The Department has not recently commissioned any new research on the number of young carers in England.
	I attended the Young Carers Festival which took place between 25-27 June; an event attended by around 1,400 young carers. This gave me an opportunity to hear young carers views from around the country.

Education: Finance

Simon Reevell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much funding per pupil his Department has allocated to Kirklees local education authority in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: Since 2006-07, the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is the main source of school funding.
	Per pupil unit of funding figures for 2005-06 to 2009-10 for Kirklees local authority are provided in the following table. The figures in the table are for all funded pupils aged three to 19 and are in real terms:
	
		
			  Real terms funding per pupil, DSG plus grants, pupils aged three to 19, Kirklees local authority 
			   £ 
			 2005-06 (Baseline) 4,250 
			 2006-07 4,380 
			 2007-08 4,550 
			 2008-09 4,650 
			 2009-10 4,800 
			  Notes:  1. This covers funding through the Dedicated Schools Grant, School Standards Grant, School Standards Grant (Personalisation) and Standards Fund as well as funding from the Learning and Skills Council; it excludes grants which are not allocated at LA level.  2. Price Base: Real terms at 2008-09 prices, based on GDP deflators as at 31 March 2010.  3. These figures are for all funded pupils aged three to 19.  4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest £10.

Education: Finance

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on the future of the  (a) Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant and  (b) Traveller Education Funding Scheme.

Nick Gibb: The Government are committed to ensuring a fair funding system which allows all pupils to fulfil their potential and invests in measures that most improve the attainment of disadvantaged pupils. The total Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant (EMAG) allocated for 2010-11 is £204 million. Decisions on schools funding from 2011-12 onwards will be made at the spending review in the autumn.
	There is no Traveller Education Funding scheme. Traveller Education Support Services are funded by local authorities. Future funding for those services will be based on each local authority's assessment of its local needs and priorities.

Education: Finance

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when his Department plans to publish a response to the recent consultation on the dedicated schools grant.

Nick Gibb: The consultation on the Dedicated Schools Grant was the result of the review of school funding started by the previous Government. It was launched in March and was still running at the time of the election. It ended on 7 June and we expect to publish a report on the responses shortly.
	We are considering the responses to this exercise as a part of developing our own consultation on school funding which will be launched in the summer.

GCSE: Leicester

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of pupils gained five GCSEs at grades A* to C in each school in Leicester West constituency in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The information required is given in the following table:
	
		
			   Percentage of pupils achieving five or more grades A*-C at GCSE including equivalents in selected years 
			  Secondary schools in Leicester West constituency  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 
			 Babington Community Technology College 52 44 49 33 56 
			 Beaumont Leys School 38 46 42 52 59o 
			 English Martyrs Catholic School 51 57 58 60 81 
			 Fullhurst Community College 27 29 26 35 40o 
			 New College Leicester 10 27 29 39 49o 
			 Riverside Community College 31 30 33 32 47o 
			 Ellesmere College(1) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 West Gate School(2) - - (3)NE (4)< (4)< 
			 (1) Ellesmere College is a Specialist Sports College for students with general learning difficulties. (2) West Gate School is a Specialist School for Cognition and Learning. (3) "NE" indicates that the school did not enter any pupils for GCSE examinations. (4) "<" indicates that GCSE results have been suppressed as fewer than 10 pupils sat exams.  Source: Achievement and Attainment Tables

Home Education

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take in response to Ofsted's recommendations in its recent report on local authorities and home education.

Nick Gibb: We have noted Ofsted's findings and recommendations. We will consider whether changes need to be made to the existing arrangements, given the strong views expressed by both home educators and local authorities.

Pupils: Disadvantaged

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to increase support for low income families in the education system.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 21 June 2010
	The Government are already committed to the introduction of a pupil premium for disadvantaged children, and we will bring forward our proposals in due course.

Schools: Bury

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will ensure that schools in Bury will receive a real terms increase in per pupil funding in each year of the next comprehensive spending review period.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 5 July 2010
	Decisions about levels of school funding from 2011 are subject to the spending review announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Schools: Crimes of Violence

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many incidents of violence towards staff in schools or colleges  (a) were and  (b) were not reported to the police in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many such cases resulted in prosecutions in that period.

Nick Gibb: The Department does not collect this information.

Schools: Crimes of Violence

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance his Department provides to schools and colleges on reporting to police attacks on staff.

Nick Gibb: The Department has provided no guidance to schools on when to report such attacks to the police.

Schools: Finance

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the process is for the funding of maintained preparatory schools in England; and what role local education authorities have in that process.

Nick Gibb: Local authorities are responsible for funding maintained schools in their area. They do this through a local formula which is developed in consultation with their Schools Forum. Local authority funding of schools is supported through central Government grants, in particular the Dedicated Schools Grant.

Schools: Standards

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which local authorities did not undertake school organisation plans for each year following the removal of the requirement to do so in 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The Department does not hold this information.

Secondary Education: Admissions

Simon Reevell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of pupils in the Kirklees local authority area were not offered a place at their  (a) first,  (b) second and  (c) third choice of secondary school in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: We do not collect the data in the format that is requested and have only collected secondary preference data since 2008.
	However, the information we have available is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Secondary schools applications and offers2008 to 2010-Kirklees local authority 
			   Parents whose first preference was not offered  Parents whose top 3 preferences were not offered 
			 2008 (Percentage) and 19.8 5.8 
			 Number of children 869 255 
			
			 2009 (Percentage) and 18.1 5.2 
			 Number of children 800 230 
			
			 2010 (Percentage) and 17.3 3.8 
			 Number of children 712 156 
		
	
	The full statistical reports for secondary school applications and offers, 2008 to 2010 are available at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STA/t000791/index.shtml
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d000833/index.shtml
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d000914/index.shtml

Specialised Diplomas

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his plans are for the future of the vocational diploma; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: I will be considering Diplomas as part of our work to improve the quality of vocational education, as set out in the Coalition Agreement.

Teachers: Training

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will bring forward proposals for a minimum-funded annual entitlement for teachers' professional development before assessing the merits of a teachers' licensing scheme.

Nick Gibb: There are provisions within the existing School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document which provide for teachers to be able to access professional development.
	We are currently undertaking a review of all our policies and as soon as we are able to provide more information, we will, of course, make a formal announcement. However, we have no plans to introduce licensing for teachers.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Andrei Lugovoi

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government has issued an arrest warrant through Interpol for Andrei Lugovoi.

Dominic Grieve: I have been asked to reply.
	There is still an arrest warrant outstanding for Andrey Lugovoi in the United Kingdom where he remains wanted for an allegation of murder. An initial extradition request made to the Russian authorities was refused on the basis that their constitution does not permit the extradition of their own nationals. In accordance with normal practice, we can neither confirm nor deny whether an arrest warrant for Andrey Lugovoi has been transmitted through Interpol.

Animals: Experiments

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to ensure compliance with the policy on replacement, reduction and refinement in relation to the use of animals in military research.

Lynne Featherstone: We do not grant licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 for the development or testing of offensive weapons, but will consider applications to use animals to evaluate potential counter-measures.
	We have a legal and administrative framework that ensures that animal experimentation is only permitted when there is no alternative research technique and the expected benefits outweigh any possible adverse effects to the animals. All of the animal studies undertaken by the Ministry of Defence are regulated by the 1986 Act and subject to inspection by the Animals Scientific Procedures Inspectorate.
	The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has a long running programme to embed the principles of the 3R's into its research programme and, wherever possible, investigate the opportunities to develop and evaluate alternatives to the use of animals.

Animals: Experiments

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animals were used in the safety testing of shellfish in  (a) 2008 and  (b) 2009.

Lynne Featherstone: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided to the hon. Member for Portsmouth South (Mr Hancock) on 27 January 2010,  Official Report, column 912W.
	EU Directive 91/492/EEC, and Commission Decision 2002/225/EC, specify the shellfish types, toxin classes, and test methods used.
	However, with respect to the animal numbers used, the information requested is not available, in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics (implementing the Statistics and Registration Act 2007) and the National Statistician's guidance 'Confidentiality of Official Statistics'. Providing the information requested would breach statistical confidentiality relating to individual establishments and individual licensees.
	Additionally, release of data relating to 2009 ahead of the annual statistical publication is not allowed under the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
	The annual publication "Statistics of Scientific procedures on Living Animals 2009" will be published on 28 July 2010, and will be available on the Department's website at:
	http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/scientific1.html

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-Semitic incidents  (a) were recorded in England and Wales in (i) 2008 and (ii) 2009 and  (b) have been recorded in 2010 to date; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: The information requested is not collected centrally in the recorded crime statistics.
	The recorded crime statistics only hold data for racially or religiously aggravated offences as defined by law. Specific details relating to the victim or alleged offender are not collected.

Asylum: Domestic Violence

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to make a decision on whether the exemption of the exclusion of women asylum seekers who have experienced domestic violence from the no recourse to public funds rule will be extended beyond August 2010.

Damian Green: A Home Office pilot project for victims of domestic violence with no recourse to public funds commenced on 30 November 2009 and is due to run until the end of August 2010. It is being monitored on a monthly basis with a full evaluation taking place following completion of the pilot. This will assist in informing our next steps.

British Nationality: War Crimes

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Preseli, Pembrokeshire of 24 March 2010,  Official Report, columns 351-52W, on the UK Border Agency's War Crimes Unit, how many people refused asylum, leave to remain or citizenship on suspicion of war crimes have been removed from the UK in each year since 2004.

Damian Green: UKBA does not hold information on the number of people removed because of suspected involvement in war crimes. Removal for suspicion of involvement in war crimes is not recorded separately.

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency

Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to bring forward legislation to make the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency a non-departmental public body.

James Brokenshire: We are aware of the previous Government's decision to turn CEOP into a non-departmental public body. We are currently considering what action may be appropriate.

Departmental Human Resources

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on human resources in each year since 1997.

Nick Herbert: Spend for the Home Office Headquarters by its human resources directorate each financial year since 2004-05 is shown in the attached table. This includes pay, pensions and other services which we provide to the Home Office and its agencies.
	The Department does not hold the requested information for the financial years 1997-98 to 2003-04 as general and subsidiary ledgers produced for the purpose of preparing certified financial statements are not retained after a period of six years, in line with NAO requirements.
	
		
			  HR costs for the Home Department 
			  £ thousand 
			 2004-05 30,612 
			 2005-06 30,270 
			 2006-07 26,806 
			 2007-08 23,468 
			 2008-09 21,420 
			 2009-10 20,192 
			  Note:  Figures to 2007-08 include provision of services to National Offender Management Service and Office of Criminal Justice Reform which transferred to the Ministry of Justice in 2007-08.

Departmental Manpower

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) front line and  (b) other staff were employed by (i) her Department and (ii) each of its agencies in the latest year for which figures are available; and what her most recent estimate is of the annual cost to the public purse of employing staff of each type at each of those bodies.

Nick Herbert: There is no standard, commonly agreed definition of front line staff. For the purposes of this question we have taken it to mean staff working in operational business areas including ports, airports and passport offices. This is consistent with the definition applying in the context of the current recruitment freeze. This definition of front line excludes staff carrying out other vital public services, for example, supporting national security. The Home Office front line and non front line employee full-time equivalent for 2008/09 in table one is calculated on that basis.
	The average staff pay cost per full-time equivalent in 2009/10 was £33,130 covering national pay, earnings related national insurance contribution, superannuation and London weighting (excluding specific grade allowances and overtime). It is not possible to provide separate costs for front line and other staff without incurring disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Table 1: Home Office employee FTE, by front line and non front line categorisation, 2009/10 
			   Front line( 3)  Other( 4) 
			 IPS 3,106 892 
			 CRB(1) 308 328 
			 UKBA 19,175 2,922 
			 HQ(2) 390 2,660 
			 (1) CRB excludes temporary staff.  (2 )Excludes Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.  (3 )Front line equals those based in cost centres identified as activity public facing/effecting decisions directly supporting such actions, or serving a mixed function where roles cannot be separated.  (4) Other refers to central or local corporate support.   Notes:  1. Figures rounded to nearest whole number.  2. Includes permanent and temporary staff unless stated.  3. Agency workers, consultants and contingent labour are excluded unless stated.   Source:  Local Home Office HR data: there are discrepancies with other published statistics where definitions differ.

Departmental Mobile Phones

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 22 June 2010,  Official Report, column 146W, on departmental mobile phones, which Ministers in her Department have been issued with a  (a) BlackBerry and  (b) mobile telephone; and what the (i) purchase cost of the handset, (ii) network provider, (iii) type of tariff and (iv) name of the supplier was in each such case.

Nick Herbert: The following table shows which Ministers in the Home Office have been issued with a  (a) Blackberry and  (b) mobile telephone; and what the (i) purchase cost of the handset, (ii) network provider, (iii) type of tariff and (iv) name of the supplier was in each case.
	
		
			Network provider  Type of tariff  Name of the supplier  Purchase cost of the handset (£) 
			 Blackberry Home Secretary Vodafone Teamwork and Blackberry Vodafone 235 
			  Lynne Featherstone Vodafone Teamwork and Blackberry Vodafone 235 
			  Baroness Neville-Jones Vodafone Teamwork and Blackberry Vodafone 125 
			  James Brokenshire Vodafone Teamwork and Blackberry Vodafone 235 
			  Nick Herbert Vodafone Teamwork and Blackberry Vodafone 235 
			  Damian Green Vodafone Teamwork and Blackberry Vodafone 235 
			 Mobile phone Home Secretary Vodafone Teamwork Vodafone Nil 
			  Lynne Featherstone Vodafone Teamwork Vodafone Nil

Departmental NDPBs

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the address is of the head office of each non-departmental public body for which her Department is responsible.

Nick Herbert: I refer the hon. Member to the following table which details each of the Non-Departmental Public Bodies sponsored by the Home Office, and their respective Head Office Addresses.
	In some instances it has not been appropriate to provide a Head Office address. In the case of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, this is for security reasons, as the Agency does not make its address public. In other instances, it is because the body in question is an Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body which does not require such a venue. In these instances, the postal address is provided, and Secretariat functions will be performed by the Home Office.
	
		
			  Home Office Non-Departmental Public Bodies 
			   Address 
			 Independent Police Complaints Commission 90 High Holborn 
			  London WC1V 6BH 
			 Independent Safeguarding Authority Aldermans Best Way 
			  Morton Palms Business Park 
			  Darlington DL1 4WP 
			   
			 National Police Improvement Agency 10 Victoria Street 
			  London SW1H 0NN 
			   
			 Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner 5(th) Floor 
			  Counting House 
			  53 Tooley Street 
			  London SE1 2QN 
			   
			 Security Industry Authority Po Box 49768 
			  London WC1V 6YW 
			   
			 Serious and Organised Crime Agency PO Box 8000 
			  London SE11 5EN 
			   
			 Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Secretariat 
			  Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs 
			  3(rd) Floor South-West Quarter, Seacole Building 
			  2 Marsham Street SW1P 4DF 
			   
			 Animal procedures Committee Secretariat 
			  Animal Procedures Committee 
			  3(rd) Floor, South-West Quarter, Seacole Building 
			  2 Marsham Street SW1P 4DF 
			   
			 Migration Advisory Committee 1(st) Floor 
			  Green Park House 
			  29 Wellesley Road 
			  Croydon CRO 2AJ 
			   
			 National DNA Database Ethics Board c/o Home Office Forensic Science Regulation Unit, 
			  3(rd) Floor, South-West Quarter, Seacole Building 
			  2 Marsham Street SW1P 4DF 
			   
			 Police Advisory Board for England and Wales 6(th) Floor 
			  Kingsgate House 
			  66-74 Victoria Street 
			  London SW1E 6SW 
			   
			 Police Negotiating Board 6(th) Floor 
			  Kingsgate House 
			  66-74 Victoria Street 
			  London SW1E 6SW 
			   
			 Technical Advisory Board PO Box 38542 
			  London SW1H 9YE 
			   
			 Investigating Powers Tribunal PO Box 33220 
			  London SW1H 9ZQ 
			   
			 Office of the Surveillance Commissioners PO Box 29105 
			  London SW1V 1ZU 
			   
			 Police Arbitration Tribunal 6(th) Floor 
			  Kingsgate House 
			  66-74 Victoria Street 
			  London SW1E 6SW 
			   
			 Police Discipline Appeals Tribunal(1) - 
			 (1) These are administered by police forces directly.

Departmental Public Expenditure

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department spent on  (a) advertising,  (b) public relations,  (c) consultants,  (d) ministerial transport and  (e) entertainment in (i) 1997 and (ii) the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Nick Herbert: The figures requested are as follows. They do not include expenditure incurred by the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies.
	 (a) In the last financial year, 2009-10, the Department spent £8,578,052 on advertising. The advertising figures quoted are for net costs for advertising space on TV, radio, press, cinema, outdoor and online channels, and do not include costs for making the adverts or associated fees.
	 (b) In the last financial year, 2009-10, the Department spent £382,054 on public relations.
	 (c) In the last financial year, 2009-10, the Department spent £73 million on consultancy.
	The accounts for 2009-10 have not yet been closed and figures may be subject to amendment and to audit by the National Audit Office (NAO).
	Consultancy services cover the provision to the Home Office of objective advice and assistance relating to strategy, structure, management, or operations in pursuit of its purposes and objectives. The use of external consultants provides the Department with specialist knowledge, skill, capacity and technical expertise that would not otherwise be available.
	For the financial year 2010-11 the Home Office has introduced stringent new constraints on engaging consultants. We expect these constraints, in conjunction with new procedures and policies now being introduced, to produce a very substantial reduction in expenditure by the end of this financial year by comparison with the previous financial year.
	 (d) In the last 12 months (June 2009-May 2010), the Department spent £437,761 on ministerial transport.
	 (e) Figures for hospitality are not held centrally and attempting to collate them would incur disproportionate cost.
	Figures for 1997 are not held centrally and attempting to collate them would incur disproportionate cost. General and subsidiary ledgers produced for the purpose of preparing certified financial statements are not retained after a period of seven years, in line with National Audit Office (NAO) requirements. The Department does not hold the requested information for 1997.

Deportation: Somalia

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the deportation of individuals from the UK to Somalia.

Damian Green: All cases are considered on their individual merits and refugee status or some other form of leave is granted if appropriate. Unless they have been granted some form of leave, unsuccessful asylum seekers no longer have a right to remain in the UK and we would expect them to return to their country of origin voluntarily.
	We may enforce the return of those found not to be in need of international protection by the UK Border Agency and the independent courts. We only enforce the return of those we are satisfied are not in need of protection, and we do not seek to enforce returns unless we are satisfied that it is safe to do so. There is no policy to preclude enforced return to Somalia.
	Statistical details on returns and the latest operational guidance relating to the treatment of asylum claims from Somalia can be found in the Library of the House and on the Home Office websites.

Domestic Violence: Immigrants

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women with no recourse to public funds have taken shelter from domestic abuse in refugee accommodation since the Home Office pilot project started in December 2009.

James Brokenshire: A Home Office pilot project for women with no recourse to public funds commenced in November 2009.
	In the period to 31 May 2010, 251 women were accepted onto the pilot, with 194 going on to receive accommodation and support under the scheme. This is monitored on a monthly basis, with a full evaluation taking place following completion of the pilot.

Entry Clearances

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fines were issued to people who arrived in the UK without proper documentation in each year from 1997 to 2009; and how much was levied in such fines in that period.

Damian Green: Between 1997 and 2009, carrier liability fines served on carriers totalled 53,163 individual charges, resulting in a total of £106,326,000 levied in charges.
	Between 2002 and 2009 there were 12, 511 civil penalty notices served with the value of £8,101, 291 in penalties received.

Entry Clearances

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the proposed cap on immigration will apply to visa applications made prior to 28 June 2010.

Damian Green: On 28 June we announced that interim limits would be implemented before an annual limit on economic migrants from outside the EU is introduced next April.
	The Immigration Rules for interim limits were laid on 28 June which come into effect 21 days later on 19 July.
	The interim limit will affect Tier one (General) migrants applying from outside the UK from 19 July. The Immigration Rules implementing the interim limit will not apply to Tier one (General) applications submitted before 19 July, even if the application is decided after that date.
	The interim limit for Tier two (General) restricts the number of Certificates of Sponsorship UK based employers can issue from 19 July. Tier two (General) visa applications made prior to 19 July will not be included in the interim limit.

Entry Clearances: Married People

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the proposed cap on immigration will include those applying for spouse visas.

Damian Green: The proposed limit announced by the Home Secretary on 28 June applies to economic migration routes only-Tier one and Tier two of the Points-Based System. We are consulting on whether the dependant spouses of Tier one and Tier two migrants should be included in the limit. The limit will not include those applying for other spouse visas, although we intend to review all other immigration routes in due course.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received from  (a) hon. Members,  (b) owners of educational establishments that provide courses for overseas students and  (c) others on the points-based system used for determining the admission of overseas students to the UK.

Damian Green: The Secretary of State for the Home Department has received recent representations on the points-based system used for determining the admission of overseas students to the UK from 18 hon. Members and one representative body. These raise concerns with the operation of the student visa system and implementation of changes following a recent review commissioned by the previous Prime Minister.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the review of the points-based immigration system applied to those seeking a visa for study in the UK to conclude; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: The Coalition's Programme for Government included a commitment to prevent abuse of the student route and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has said that she will be reviewing non-economic immigration routes and will be bringing forward further proposals for parliamentary consideration. This will include detailed consideration of the student routes; the Government intend to bring forward proposals on these routes before the end of 2010.

Leicestershire Constabulary: Finance

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her most recent estimate is of the likely change to the level of funding allocated by her Department to Leicestershire constabulary in the next 12 months.

Nick Herbert: As a result of the in-year reduction to core police funding in 2010-11, Leicestershire will see a total reduction of £1.8 million. Specific reductions to the core Home Office settlement are subject to parliamentary approval. However, even after this reduction has been made Leicestershire will still receive an increase of 1.4% in core Government funding over 2009-10.
	Future funding will be determined by the Spending Review.

Passports: Lost Property

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what discussions she has had with Interpol about sharing information on lost or stolen UK passports with private businesses;
	(2)  what estimate has been made of the number of passports lost or stolen in each year from 1997 to 2009; and what information her Department provided to businesses seeking to check whether a passport had been lost or stolen during that period.

Damian Green: The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) provides lost and stolen passport data to Interpol via the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) on a daily basis, to assist with the international policing of borders. This arrangement has been in place and meeting the requirements of the organisations concerned since 2004. There have been no discussions with Interpol regarding the sharing of information on lost and stolen passports with private businesses. However, since 2006 IPS has provided a Passport Validation Service (PVS) to a number of United Kingdom based accredited financial and legal services. The service allows these accredited financial and legal services to check the validity of UK passports presented to them by customers directly against IPS records. The accredited private sector organisations using the PVS service do so via a call centre, providing the PVS with details of the passport in their possession and PVS will confirm the validity of the passport or otherwise. If the passport presented is shown on IPS records as lost or stolen the organisation is informed that the passport is invalid. Personal details or the reason for not being able to validate the details are not provided by PVS.
	With regard to number of passports that have been reported to IPS as lost or stolen between 1997 and 2009, it is not possible to provide figures between 1997 and 2003, as the current system to record details of lost, stolen and recovered passports was only introduced in December 2003. Information relating to lost, stolen and recovered UK passports is therefore only available for the last six years (from 2004).
	The following table sets out the number of UK passports that have been recorded by IPS as lost, stolen or recovered since 2004. The category "Other" is used by the IPS predominantly when a passport is declared damaged or destroyed.
	
		
			   Totals  Number of lost passports  Number of stolen passports  Other 
			 2004 275,040 212,745 50,737 11,558 
			 2005 286,988 230,011 45,709 11,268 
			 2006 290,996 237,879 41,830 11,287 
			 2007 303,572 251,751 41,393 10,428 
			 2008 296,018 249,261 38,120 8,637 
			 2009 272,963 232,852 32,276 7,835

Police Community Support Officer: Redundancy

Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the redundancy costs of a police community support officer with  (a) seven,  (b) six,  (c) five,  (d) four,  (e) three,  (f) two and  (g) up to one years of service whose services are no longer required.

Nick Herbert: No such estimates have been made. It is an issue for each force to determine police staff redundancy costs. The redundancy terms are set out under the Local Government Pension Scheme (and Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme for the Metropolitan Police) and the associated compensation schemes.

Police: Bureaucracy

Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the  (a) cost and  (b) length of time spent by police officers on administrative tasks in each year since 1997.

Nick Herbert: According to the Front Line Policing Measure commissioned by the last Government, police officers spent 21.7% of their time on paperwork in 2007-08, the last year for which figures were available. The new Government are clear that the police should focus on police work not paperwork, and the Home Office is now engaged in a programme of action to deliver this commitment.

Police: Conditions of Employment

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to review the remuneration and conditions of service for police officers; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: The Government have announced a full review of the remuneration and conditions of service of police officers and staff. We will provide information about the review, including timing, shortly.

Police: Finance

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria will be used to determine reductions to police force budgets in England and Wales.

Nick Herbert: The reduction in police funding of £135 million in 2010-11 will be made by reducing core Government funding by £125 million and counter terrorism specific grants by £10 million. The £125 million in-year 2010-11 reduction to core funding has been allocated fairly between forces, each of which will see a reduction equivalent to 1.46% of its core Government funding.
	Future spending will be determined by the Spending Review.

Police: Finance

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what mechanism the planned reduction of £135 million funding for police forces will be allocated between police forces in England and Wales.

Nick Herbert: The reduction in police funding of £135 million in 2010-11 will be made by reducing core Government funding by £125 million and counter terrorism specific grants by £10 million.
	The £125 million reduction to core funding has been allocated fairly between forces, each of which will see a reduction equivalent to 1.46% of its core Government funding.
	I am confident that savings of less than 1% of expected spending in 2010-11 by police authorities can be made whilst keeping the frontline of policing strong and secure.

Police: Retirement

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on raising the retirement age for police officers.

Nick Herbert: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced an Independent Public Service Pensions Commission to include police pensions, and as part of the Coalition Programme there will also be a full review of the remuneration and conditions of service for police officers and staff.

Pre-charge Detention

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been held for 28 days in pre-charge detention since 2005.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office collates statistics on the number of people who have been held for 28 days in pre-charge detention since 2005. These details are included in a Bulletin published for the first time on 13 May 2009 (Statistics on Terrorism Arrests and Outcomes Great Britain 11 September 2001 to 31 March 2008).
	The details for 2010 are not yet available. The first edition of the Bulletin is available at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/hosb0409.pdf
	The second issue of the Bulletin was published on 26 November 2009 and is available via the following link:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/hosb1809.pdf
	The third issue of the Bulletin was issued on 26 February 2010 and is available via the following link:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/hosb0410.pdf
	The fourth issue of the Bulletin was issued on 10 June 2010 and is available via the following link:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/hosb1010.pdf

Rape: Convictions

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases involving rape the defendant was convicted following the introduction of DNA evidence by the prosecution in each of the last three years.

James Brokenshire: Data on the number of convictions obtained in which DNA match evidence from the National DNA Database (NDNAD) was a contributory factor are not collected centrally.
	However, data are available on the number of detections in which a DNA match was available. The following table shows the number of rapes detected in which a match on the NDNAD was available for each of the last three years for which data are available, for police forces in England and Wales.
	The figures do not include:
	Additional detections where an offender admits further offences following a detection for which a DNA match was available; or
	Crimes detected as a result of one-off speculative searches of the NDNAD or from comparing DNA profiles in a forensic laboratory.
	These procedures are used mainly in the investigation of serious crimes such as murder and rape. Therefore the figures provided in the table under-represent the overall contribution of DNA matches to the detection of rape crimes.
	It is also important to note that detections and any subsequent convictions are obtained through integrated criminal investigation, based on a range of evidence types and not through DNA evidence alone.
	The source of the figures provided is the forensic performance data, which are collected by the Home Office from police forces. The figures for 2009-10 are not yet available.
	The data provided are management information and have not been formally assessed for compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
	
		
			  Number of rapes detected in which a DNA match was available, England and Wales, 2006-09 
			   Number 
			 2006-07 195 
			 2007-08 184 
			 2008-09 168

Surveillance: Finance

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to the public purse has been of surveillance of Linda and John Catt, identifying separately the cost of  (a) logging and  (b) analysing the surveillance data; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold this information
	It is not possible to estimate costs in relation to specific individuals arising from logging and analysing data that is recorded by the police when attending public events.

Terrorism: Convictions

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the conviction rate in criminal cases involving any charges on terrorist offences was in each year from 2006 to 2010.

Nick Herbert: The data requested for  (a) 2006,  (b) 2007,  (c) 2008, and  (d) 2009 is available in the statistical bulletin series bulletin Statistics on Terrorism
	Arrests and Outcomes Great Britain the links to which are as follows:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/hosb0409.pdf
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/hosb1809.pdf
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/hosb0410.pdf
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/hosb1010.pdf
	Data from 2010 is not yet available.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan: Females

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of aid allocated by his Department to groups in Afghanistan seeking to improve the quality of life, education, health and safety of women is paid into bank accounts in the name of Afghan males.

Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) requests and receives regular monitoring reports on all our programmes from our implementing partners. However the information requested cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.
	I have recently initiated a review of the Department for International Development (DFID) aid programmes to ensure they are as effective as possible and bring real benefit to the world's poor. Our work in Afghanistan will be reviewed as part of this process.
	The Government are committed to addressing gender issues in developing countries and will place women at the centre of our work on international development. We are also fully committed to ensuring full transparency of UK aid and have launched the Aid Transparency Guarantee, which will provide opportunities for those directly affected by our projects to provide feedback on the performance of projects. I have also announced a new independent aid watchdog to gather evidence about the effectiveness of DFID's programmes.

Afghanistan: Females

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that aid committed by his Department to improve the quality of life, education, health and safety of women reaches the women's groups to which it has been allocated.

Andrew Mitchell: I have recently initiated a review of the Department for International Development (DFID) aid programmes to ensure they are as effective as possible and bring real benefit to the world's poor.
	The Government are committed to addressing gender issues in developing countries and will place women at the centre of our work on international development. We are also fully committed to ensuring full transparency of UK aid and have launched the Aid Transparency Guarantee, which will provide opportunities for those directly affected by our projects to provide feedback on the performance of projects. I have also announced a new independent aid watchdog to gather evidence about the effectiveness of DFID's programmes.

Developing Countries: Forests

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the Government plans to contribute to the international fund for maintaining levels of forestation; and whether expenditure will be in addition to already planned expenditure.

Andrew Mitchell: There are a number of international funds that seek to assist developing countries in their efforts to reduce deforestation. The UK is contributing £15 million to the Forest Carbon Partnership Forum (FCPF), £100 million to the Forest Investment programme (FIP), and £50 million to the Congo Basin Forest Fund.
	We are reviewing all our aid, including aid channelled through multilateral agencies to ensure it is as effective as possible and brings real benefit to the world's poor. We will consider further contributions to international brings real benefit to the world's poor. We will consider further contributions to international funds that seek to assist developing countries in their efforts to reduce deforestation as part of this review.
	I have recently reaffirmed the UK's commitment to Fast Start finance, including £300 million for forestry between 2010 and 2012.

Developing Countries: Health Services

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support the Centre for Progressive Health Financing  (a) has provided to date and  (b) plans to provide in the next six months to the six developing countries that pledged to remove health user fees at the Healthy Women, Healthy Children event held in the meeting of the UN General Assembly in September 2009.

Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development has provided specific technical support on pro-poor health financing to two of the countries that made announcements in September 2009 (Liberia and Sierra Leone). In Nepal, Malawi, Ghana and Burundi, we have continued our support to the health sector, including support to removing financial barriers for the poorest.
	I have recently initiated a review of DFID's aid programmes to determine how we can achieve better value for money for the taxpayer and accelerate progress towards the millennium development goals. The way in which we will take forward our support for health financing will be determined as part of this review.

Developing Countries: Maternity Services

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what steps he plans to take at the forthcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly towards reducing maternal mortality in developing countries;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of maternal mortality in developing countries.

Andrew Mitchell: Maternal health is a major priority for the UK Government and an area which the Prime Minister has personally championed. We want to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights, including access to modern family planning methods and promoting women's choice in the developing world. The recent G8 summit has delivered a significant step change in efforts to improve maternal, newborn and child health. The Muskoka Initiative will prevent 1.3 million under five child deaths, 64,000 maternal deaths and enable an additional 12 million women to have access to modern family planning over the period 2010-15.
	The UN millennium development goal (MDG) summit in September, with the aim of delivering the UN Secretary-General's joint action plan to improve the health of women and children, will be the next significant milestone. The UK Government remains determined to use such events to continue to drive progress and ensure that the UN delivers improved health outcomes for women and children.

Developing Countries: Overseas Aid

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's policy is on provision of aid to countries where torture is used.

Andrew Mitchell: As stated in "The Coalition: our programme for government", the Government will never condone the use of torture. In taking decisions on the provision of aid the Department for International Development (DFID) takes into consideration the country governments commitment to human rights, as well as their commitment to poverty reduction, accountability and combating corruption, and the level of development and humanitarian needs in the country.
	I have recently initiated a review of the DFID bilateral aid programme to ensure that we target UK aid where it is needed most and will most and will make the most significant impact on poverty reduction. The review will consider which countries should receive British aid, how much they should receive and which countries should stop receiving British aid.

International Assistance: Poverty and Hunger

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the effectiveness of aid delivery models used by the United Nations to make progress towards the millennium development goals to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development is currently undertaking a review of our funding to multilateral organisations. The review will include an assessment of the effectiveness of the United Nations agencies we support and their potential to make progress towards the millennium development goals.

Overseas Aid

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid his Department provided to each country  (a) in total and  (b) per head of population of the recipient country in the latest year for which information is available; and what the percentage change in the amount of aid provided to each such country was between 1999 and that year.

Andrew Mitchell: Figures for UK Official Development Assistance to each recipient country and the relevant population in each year from 1999 to 2008 are published on the website of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development:
	http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/50/17/5037721.htm

WORK AND PENSIONS

Departmental Consultants

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what budget his Department has allocated for consultancy in 2010-11.

Chris Grayling: The requested information is not available as the Department for Work and Pensions is still considering the impacts of the emergency Budget on its spending plans. The Department expects to make savings of around £20 million on consultancy in 2010-11 to contribute to its overall £535 million efficiency challenge. The latest outturn data on consultancy spending were for 2008-09, when the Department spent £95.2 million on IT and management consultancy.

Departmental Official Cars

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which Ministers in his Department have used an allocated Ministerial car to travel between the Department and the House of Commons on each day since 21 May 2010.

Chris Grayling: No records of such journeys are kept. DWP Ministers use allocated ministerial cars, particularly when carrying restricted, confidential and private papers which relate to Government and parliamentary business. DWP Ministers also routinely walk to the House of Commons from the Department.

Departmental Pay

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff his Department employs outside London at a wage of less than £7.14 per hour.

Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions has 576 staff who are employed outside London who earn less than £7.14 per hour.
	£7.14 equates to a full time equivalent salary of £13,737 and is therefore below the threshold of the pay freeze.

Disability Living Allowance: Children

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to include disability living allowance payments to children in his proposed review of disability living allowance payments.

Maria Miller: The Chancellor announced in his Emergency Budget that the Government will reform disability living allowance to ensure support is targeted on those with the highest needs and will consider carefully how reforms will impact on children.

Employment and Support Allowance

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the level of financial support needed to ensure that those living on employment and support allowance do not live in poverty.

Chris Grayling: Work is the best and most sustainable route out of poverty. The aim of the new work programme is to support individuals to maximise employment opportunities. For those unable to work, the benefit system currently targets extra resources on those who are in greatest disadvantage. The system will continue to provide additional support for those in need, but in future the Government will work to ensure the benefit system also helps to tackle the root causes of poverty, reducing welfare dependency and promoting social justice.
	The main elements of the employment and support allowance (ESA) are the personal allowances, the work-related activity or support components and flat rate premiums for groups recognised as having other special needs e.g. carers, severely disabled people and people aged over 60. This structure enables the Government to focus help most effectively on those groups who have the greatest needs. In particular, people who are placed in the support group qualify for the enhanced disability premium automatically.
	The benefit rates do not directly reflect, nor are they made up of, specific items of household and other expenditure. Instead the rates are intended to cover overall household expenditure and normal day to day living expenses taken as a whole. Benefit rates are reviewed annually and a number of factors are taken into account during the review, the most important of which is the level of inflation. We have decided that in future ESA will be increased using the Consumer Price Index which we believe is the most suitable measure of inflation.
	In many cases the basic rate of ESA is just one element of the total package of support that a person or household receives. Additional support may be available through (e.g.) housing benefit, council tax benefit, child benefit, child tax credit and disability living allowance.

Floors: Safety

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the  (a) methodology used by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for measuring the slip potential of floors and  (b) the HSE's microsurface roughness meter; what research has been (i) commissioned and (ii) evaluated on the effectiveness of the HSE's microsurface roughness meter; if he will publish such research; and if he will make a statement on the HSE's policy on the slip potential of floors.

Chris Grayling: The Department of Work and Pensions has made no assessment of the effectiveness of the methodology used by HSE for measuring the slip potential of floors and its micro surface roughness meter. HSE's approach to this topic has been developed by the UK Health and Safety Laboratory and is supported by the independent UK Slip Resistance Group consisting of manufacturers, suppliers and consultants. Independent peer reviewed research material also supports the approach taken by HSE and HSL.
	HSE does not manufacture a micro surface roughness meter. It does use a commercially available micro surface roughness meter to assess the slipperiness of flooring in water contaminated conditions as part of its regulatory functions.
	HSL have undertaken a variety of research into the causes of slips at work and how they can be managed and this research is published on the HSE website:
	http://www.hse.gov.uk/slips/research.htm
	HSE has also published a technical guidance note on assessing the slip resistance of flooring which draws on the outputs from published HSL research:
	http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/web/slips01.pdf

Floors: Safety

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received on the Health and Safety Executive's  (a) policy on slipping and  (b) methodology for measuring the risk of different surfaces giving rise to slipping.

Chris Grayling: HSE has received correspondence from one commercial supplier of slip assessment equipment about its policy on slipping and its methodology for measuring the risk of different surfaces giving rise to slipping.

Future Jobs Fund

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobs created  (a) in Great Yarmouth constituency,  (b) in the East of England and  (c) nationally have been attributable to the Future Jobs Fund since its inception.

Chris Grayling: The information requested on the Great Yarmouth constituency area is not available.
	In the East of England area the latest official statistics, covering the period from October 2009 to January 2010, show that 390 people were recorded as starting jobs funded by the Future Jobs Fund.
	In Great Britain the latest official statistics, covering the period from October 2009 to January 2010, show that 8,660 people were recorded as starting jobs funded by the Future Jobs Fund.
	At up to £6,500 per person the FJF is five times more expensive than some other elements of the Young Persons Guarantee. Moreover the Future Jobs Fund creates temporary, short term posts and the grants do not include any incentives to move people into permanent jobs.
	The Government are committed to supporting young people. The 50,000 new apprenticeships and the forthcoming Work Programme will help move young people into sustainable employment.

Homelessness

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people Jobcentre Plus recorded as homeless in the last five years; and how many such people Jobcentre Plus has helped to place in employment.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.

Housing Benefit

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his contribution of 28 June 2010,  Official Report, column 609, what estimate he has made of the number of elderly people in receipt of housing benefit who are in properties that are deemed to be too large for their needs.

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of those in receipt of housing benefit occupy accommodation with more bedrooms than residents.

Steve Webb: The information is not available. The Department for Work and Pensions does not collect information on dwelling size for all housing benefit recipients.
	However, the English Housing Survey in 2008-09 showed that 430,000 (11.2%) of all social rented households and 494,000 (16.1%) of all private rented households in England were under-occupied as measured by the bedroom standard.
	The "bedroom standard" is essentially the difference between the number of bedrooms needed to avoid undesirable sharing (given the number and ages of household members and their relationships to each other) and the number of bedrooms actually available to the household.
	 Source: Figures on under-occupation are taken from Table 6: Overcrowding and Under-occupation by Tenure' from the English Housing Survey, 2008-09.

Housing Benefit: Liverpool

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of those resident in Liverpool are in receipt of housing benefit.

Steve Webb: At March 2010 there were 62,030 housing benefit claimants in the Liverpool local authority area.
	 Notes:
	1. Recipients are as at second Thursday of the month.
	2. Data is rounded to the nearest 10.
	3. March 2010 represents the latest data held
	 Source
	Single Housing Benefit Extract 100% individual level data (SHBE).

Incapacity Benefit

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research his Department has undertaken on the number of people receiving incapacity benefit who are receiving it contrary to the benefit rules; what evidence was used to decide on the Government's target to reduce the number of incapacity benefit claimants by one-fifth; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: Information on the number of people who are receiving Incapacity Benefit contrary to the benefit rules is unavailable. However, the Department does provide regular estimates of the amount of benefit overpaid and underpaid as a result of fraud, official error and customer error. The latest statistics cover the period October 2008 to September 2009 and estimated for that period a total of 3.3% (£210 million) of Incapacity Benefit was paid out incorrectly. A full breakdown of the results can be found in the Department's publication 'Fraud and Error in the Benefit System: October 2008 to September 2009', copies of which are available in the Library.
	The Government have not set a target to reduce the number of incapacity benefit claimants by one-fifth. However, we believe the current system is broken and in need of radical reform. We will reassess everyone on incapacity benefits to see if they are fit for work. Those who are capable of work will be moved onto Jobseeker's Allowance. People who need more support while they prepare for work will get that help on Employment and Support Allowance and will be placed either in the Support Group or the Work Related Activity Group.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Bishop Auckland

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the number of lone parents in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in  (a) Bishop Auckland and  (b) Blackpool North and Cleveleys constituency.

Chris Grayling: In April 2010 there were 100 lone parents claiming jobseeker's allowance in Bishop Auckland, and 110 in Blackpool North and Cleveleys.
	The figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Lone Parents

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the number of lone parents in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in Houghton and Sunderland South constituency.

Chris Grayling: In April 2010 there were 115 lone parents claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Houghton and Sunderland South.
	 Note:
	The figure has been rounded to the nearest 5.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Lone Parents

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of lone parents in  (a) Slough,  (b) Salisbury and  (c) Scarborough and Whitby constituency in receipt of jobseeker's allowance.

Chris Grayling: In April 2010 there were 155 lone parents claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Slough, 50 in Salisbury, and 65 in Scarborough and Whitby.
	 Note:
	The figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Lone Parents

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the number of lone parents in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in Makerfield constituency.

Chris Grayling: In April 2010 there were 85 lone parents claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Makerfield.
	The figure has been rounded to the nearest five.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Lone Parents

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of lone parents in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in Worsley and Eccles South constituency.

Chris Grayling: In April 2010 there were 140 lone parents claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Worsley and Eccles South.
	The figure has been rounded to the nearest five.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Lone Parents

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of lone parents in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in  (a) Glasgow North and  (b) Ealing Central and Acton constituency.

Chris Grayling: In April 2010 there were 75 lone parents claiming jobseeker's allowance in Glasgow North, and 140 in Ealing Central and Acton.
	The figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Lone Parents

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the number of lone parents in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in Kingston upon Hull North constituency.

Chris Grayling: In April 2010 there were 240 lone parents claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Kingston upon Hull North.
	The figure has been rounded to the nearest five.

Lone Parents: Lancashire

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the number of lone parents in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in West Lancashire constituency.

Chris Grayling: In April 2010 there were 120 lone parents claiming jobseeker's allowance in West Lancashire.
	The figure has been rounded to the nearest five.

Mesothelioma: Deaths

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many deaths from mesothelioma there have been in the West Midlands in the last five years.

Chris Grayling: The total number of mesothelioma deaths where the last residence of the deceased was recorded as being within the Government office region of the west midlands between 2003 and 2007 (the latest year for which data are available) was 713.
	 Source:
	HSE, British Mesothelioma Register.

Mesothelioma: Deaths

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many deaths there have been from mesothelioma in  (a) Bolton and  (b) Greater Manchester in the last 20 years.

Chris Grayling: The total number of mesothelioma deaths where the last residence of the deceased was recorded as being within  (a) the local authority of Bolton and  (b) the Metropolitan County of Greater Manchester between 1988 and 2007* is set out in table 1.
	
		
			  Table 1. Mesothelioma deaths 1988-2007( 1) 
			  Area  Deaths 
			 Bolton 132 
			 Greater Manchester (Metropolitan County) 1,093 
			 (1) 2007 is the latest year for which data are available.  Source: HSE, British Mesothelioma Register

Mesothelioma: Deaths

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many deaths from mesothelioma there were in  (a) the area of Penistone and Stockbridge constituency and  (b) Yorkshire and the Humber in the last 12 months.

Chris Grayling: The information is a follows:
	 (a) There are no data available at the constituency level.
	 (b) The total number of mesothelioma deaths where the last residence of the deceased was recorded as being within the Government Office Region of Yorkshire and the Humber in 2007 (the latest year for which data are available) was 172.
	 Source:
	HSE, British Mesothelioma Register

New Deal Schemes: Birmingham

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which organisations which deliver the Flexible New Deal programme in Birmingham have been informed since the Government came into office that their contracts are to be changed or terminated; and what changes will be made to each contract.

Chris Grayling: All organisations delivering flexible new deal, including those in Birmingham (Seetec and FourstaR), have been given notice that their contracts will end on 28 June 2011. Current contracts are under review, but as yet no changes have been made.

Pensions: Shipping

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to ensure that UK seafarers working in international waters receive full pension provision.

Steve Webb: UK seafarers who work on British vessels pay class 1 national insurance on their earnings. Class 1 national insurance is also payable when UK seafarers work on board certain foreign vessels. Therefore, UK seafarers working in international waters have the same pension provision as other employees in the UK if they are liable to pay class 1 national insurance contributions. Any UK seafarer who works on a foreign vessel in circumstances where class 1 national insurance is not due, is usually able to pay voluntary class 2 or 3 national insurance contributions to provide cover for basic state pension.

Pensions: Shipping

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will bring forward measures to include UK seafarers working in international waters within the scope of the Pensions Act 2008.

Steve Webb: The issue of whether to include seafarers in the employer duties in the Pensions Act 2008, which are currently under review, is a complex one. We are looking for the best way forward, and are talking with various interested parties including the trade unions, the shipping industry and other Government Departments.

Pregnant Women: Grants

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many health in pregnancy grants were made in Houghton and Sunderland South constituency in 2009-10.

David Gauke: I have been asked to reply.
	Geographical analysis of the number of people benefiting from the Health in Pregnancy grant has not previously been undertaken and therefore this information is only available at disproportionate cost.

Retirement

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what timetable he has set for implementation of his proposal to phase out the default retirement age.

Edward Davey: I have been asked to reply.
	We are committed to phasing out the default retirement age. We will bring forward proposals shortly for consultation on how we will quickly phase out the default retirement age from April 2011.
	Through the consultation, we want to ensure that we make changes in a way that supports individuals and employers in adapting to the new situation.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to bring forward proposals for financial support for those who are unable to work due to illness or disability.

Chris Grayling: The written statement laid by the Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Chris Grayling) on 29 June 2010 outlined the Government's approach to those who are unable to work due to disability and illness:
	'The Government are committed to providing unconditional support for very sick and disabled people within that group.
	But there are people claiming incapacity benefits that can work, and want to work, with our help they will be able to.
	In the autumn, starting in Burnley and Aberdeen, we will ask incapacity benefit claimants to attend a work capability assessment. The rest of the country will follow, with reviews taking place when the normal benefit review is due.'
	Those who are capable of work will be moved onto Jobseeker's Allowance. People who need more support while they prepare for work will get that help on Employment and Support Allowance.
	The Government have also announced that they will reform Disability Living Allowance from 2013-14 to ensure support is targeted on those with the highest needs.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Wigan constituency are in receipt of  (a) incapacity benefit and  (b) employment and support allowance.

Chris Grayling: The information is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and employment support allowance claimants in Wigan parliamentary constituency, November 2009 
			  Parliamentary constituency  IB/SDA  ESA 
			 Wigan 5,640 890 
			  Notes:  1. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008.  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  3. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010.  4. IB/SDA 'claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a national insurance credit, i.e. 'credits only cases'.   Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% WPLS.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in  (a) Bishop Auckland and  (b) Blackpool North and Cleveleys constituency receive (i) disability living allowance, (ii) incapacity benefit and (iii) employment and support allowance.

Chris Grayling: The information is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Disability living allowance, incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and employment support allowance claimants in Bishop Auckland and Blackpool North and Cleveleys parliamentary constituencies, November 2009 
			  Parliamentary constituency  DLA  IB/SDA  ESA 
			 Bishop Auckland 6,940 4,920 960 
			 Blackpool North and Cleveleys 7,120 4,700 870 
			  Notes:  1. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008.  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  3. Caseload for DLA show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital.  4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010.  5. IB/SDA 'claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a national insurance credit, i.e. 'credit only cases'.   Source:  DWP Information Directorate 100% WPLS.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are in receipt of  (a) disability living allowance,  (b) incapacity benefit and  (c) employment and support allowance in West Lancashire constituency.

Chris Grayling: The information is set out as follows:
	
		
			  Disability living allowance, incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and employment support allowance claimants in West Lancashire parliamentary constituency: November 2009 
			  Parliamentary constituency  DLA  IB/SDA  ESA 
			 West Lancashire 6,290 3,750 690 
			  Notes: 1. Incapacity Benefit was replaced by Employment Support Allowance (ESA) from October 2008. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied. 3. Caseload for DLA show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. 5. IB/SDA 'Claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a National Insurance Credit, i.e. 'credits only cases'.  Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are in receipt of  (a) disability living allowance,  (b) incapacity benefit and  (c) employment and support allowance in Stretford and Urmston constituency.

Chris Grayling: The information is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Employment support allowance claimants, incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and disability living allowance, November 2009 
			  Parliamentary constituency  ESA  IB/SDA  DLA 
			 Stretford and Urmston 820 4,490 6,210 
			  Notes:  1. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008.  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied.  3. Caseload for DLA shows the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital.  4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010.  5. IB/SDA 'claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a national insurance credit, i.e. 'credits only cases'.   Source:  DWP Information Directorate 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are in receipt of  (a) disability living allowance,  (b) incapacity benefit and  (c) employment and support allowance in Houghton and Sunderland South constituency.

Chris Grayling: The information is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Employment support allowance claimants, incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and disability living allowance: November 2009 
			   Houghton and Sunderland South parliamentary constituency 
			 ESA 1,030 
			 IB/SDA 5,520 
			 DLA 7,420 
			  Notes: 1. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied. 3. Caseload for DLA show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. 5. IB/SDA 'Claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a national insurance credit, i.e. 'credits only cases'.  Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Worsley and Eccles South constituency receive a  (a) disability living allowance,  (b) incapacity benefit and  (c) employment and support allowance.

Chris Grayling: The information is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Employment support allowance claimants, incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and disability living allowance: November 2009 
			   Worsley and Eccles South parliamentary constituency 
			 ESA 940 
			 IB/SPA 5,250 
			 DLA 7,740 
			  Notes: 1. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied. 3. Caseload for DLA shows the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and excludes people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. 5. IB/SDA 'Claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a national insurance credit, i.e. 'credits only cases'.  Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are in receipt of  (a) disability living allowance,  (b) incapacity benefit and  (c) employment support allowance in (i) Glasgow North and (ii) Ealing Central and Acton constituency.

Chris Grayling: The information is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Employment support allowance claimants, incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and disability living allowance: November 2009 
			  Parliamentary constituency  ESA  IB/SDA  DLA 
			 Glasgow North 690 3,950 4,790 
			 Ealing Central and Acton 620 3,450 3,530 
			  Notes: 1. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied. 3. Caseload for DLA show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. 5. IB/SDA 'Claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a national insurance credit, i.e. 'credits only cases'.  Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in  (a) Slough,  (b) Salisbury and  (c) Scarborough and Whitby constituency were in receipt of (i) disability living allowance, (ii) incapacity benefit and (iii) employment and support allowance on the most recent date for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: The information is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Employment support allowance claimants, incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and disability living allowance: November 2009 
			  Parliamentary constituency  ESA  IB/SDA  DLA 
			 Slough 880 3,770 4,310 
			 Salisbury 400 2,220 3,090 
			 Scarborough and Whitby 710 3,960 5,950 
			  Notes: 1. Incapacity Benefit was replaced by Employment Support Allowance (ESA) from October 2008. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied. 3. Caseload for DLA show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. 5. IB/SDA 'Claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a National Insurance Credit, i.e. 'credits only cases'.  Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are in receipt of  (a) disability living allowance,  (b) incapacity benefit and  (c) employment and support allowance in Makerfield constituency.

Chris Grayling: The information is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Employment support allowance claimants, incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and disability living allowance, November 2009 
			  Parliamentary constituency  ESA  IB/SDA  DLA 
			 Makerfield 860 4,940 6,800 
			  Notes:  1. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008.  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied.  3. Caseload for DLA show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital.  4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010.  5. IB/SDA 'claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a national insurance credit, i.e. 'credits only cases'.   Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people resident in Hampstead and Kilburn constituency are in receipt of  (a) disability living allowance,  (b) invalidity benefit and  (c) employment and support allowance.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Employment support allowance claimants, incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and disability living allowance: November 2009. 
			  Parliamentary constituency  ESA  IB/SDA  DLA 
			 Hampstead and Kilburn 700 4,510 4,510 
			  Notes: 1. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) from October 2008. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied. 3.Caseload for DLA shows the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and excludes people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. 5. IB/SDA 'Claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a National Insurance Credit, i.e. 'credits only cases'.  Source:  DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100% data.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are in receipt of  (a) disability living allowance,  (b) incapacity benefit and  (c) employment and support allowance in Kingston upon Hull North constituency.

Chris Grayling: The information is presented as follows:
	
		
			  Employment support allowance claimants, incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, and disability living allowance: November 2009 
			  Parliamentary constituency  ESA  IB/SDA  DLA 
			 Kingston upon Hull North 840 4,130 5,890 
			  Notes: 1. Incapacity Benefit was replaced by Employment Support Allowance (ESA) from October 2008. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, some additional disclosure has been applied. 3. Caseload for DLA shows the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and excludes people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Constituencies used are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. 5. IB/SDA 'Claimants' include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a National Insurance Credit, i.e. 'credits only cases'.  Source: DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100% data

Vacancies: Sex Establishments

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to publish his formal response to the consultation on the acceptance and advertising of vacancies in the adult entertainment industry by Jobcentre Plus.

Chris Grayling: We will publish the coalition Government response to the consultation shortly.

Work Capability Assessment: Mental Illness

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the application of the employment support allowance's requirement for a work capability assessment to people who have a mental illness; what plans his Department has to support those with mental illness who are not able to work; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The Work Capability Assessment was developed in consultation with medical and other experts alongside specialist disability groups such as Mind. The scoring system is much fairer and simpler, removing a potential bias in the Personal Capability Assessment against people with mental health conditions, as opposed to limitation of physical function.
	The Department undertook an internal review of the Work Capability Assessment which was published on 29 March 2010. The review found that generally the assessment accurately identifies individuals for benefit. The review made a number of recommendations for improving the Work Capability Assessment. We announced on 29 June that we will be implementing those recommendations. Additionally, the Government also have a statutory commitment to arrange an independent review of the main elements of the Work Capability Assessment every year for the first five years of operation. This review will look at the Work Capability Assessment in operation and is distinct from the department-led review which focussed on the technical accuracy of the assessment and whether it could better account for how individuals adapt to their condition. The review, announced on the 29 June, will be conducted by Professor Malcolm Harrington, acting as lead reviewer.
	Support for people who have a mental illness is currently available through Jobcentre Plus Personal Advisers as well as a variety of Government funded programmes, these will be superseded by the Work Programme by summer 2011 .We will continue to support and protect the most vulnerable and disabled people who are assessed as not capable of work. People in the Support Group of Employment and Support Allowance are not required to under take work focused activity and also receive a higher rate of benefit.

Work Capability Assessment: Wigan

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many work capability assessments have been carried out in Wigan constituency in each year since they were introduced.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available. The available information is as follows.
	Since the employment and support allowance's was introduced on 27 October 2008, the number of assessments performed at Wigan Medical Examination Centre is as follows.
	
		
			   Completed exams 
			 2008 4 
			 2009 2277 
			 2010 1561

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Manipur Province

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of India on lifting restrictions on access to Manipur province; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: We have not made representations to the Indian Government on this issue. Access to Manipur and other Indian states is a matter for the Government of India.

Nuclear Programme: Iran

Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the EU's policy on Iran's nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement.

William Hague: I am in regular close contact with key EU partners to ensure that the EU makes clear, through a strong set of autonomous sanctions, that Iran cannot ignore its international obligations. Tough EU sanctions will make clear that the EU is determined to resolve this issue through diplomatic means.

Nuclear Programme: Iran

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the EU's policy on Iran's nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement.

William Hague: I am in regular close contact with key EU partners to ensure that the EU makes clear, through a strong set of autonomous sanctions, that Iran cannot ignore its international obligations. Tough EU sanctions will make clear that the EU is determined to resolve this issue through diplomatic means.

National Budgets: EU

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospects for agreement to proposed changes to EU mechanisms for surveillance of national budgets.

David Lidington: Bringing together consideration of fiscal and structural policy is good for the EU, and the UK supports this. However, the Government have made it clear that the UK will not submit its budget to the EU before it has been approved by this House.

Middle East

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made in the middle east peace process; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: Recent events, including in Gaza, have highlighted the urgent need for progress towards a two state solution. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to Senator Mitchell last week about progress on proximity talks. We will continue to buttress the diplomatic initiative of President Obama's Administration and urge both sides to work for progress.

EU Budget

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had at EU level on the process for limiting the size of the next EU budget; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: We will strongly defend the UK's national interests in the forthcoming EU budget negotiations. The EU budget should only focus on those areas where it adds value, and should deliver more for less. Reform of the EU budget was last discussed formally at the December European Council. Heads of Government agreed conclusions calling on the Commission to produce a report in order for the Council to provide orientations on priorities during 2010.

United Nations Reform

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on reform of the United Nations.

Henry Bellingham: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had recent discussions with his international counterparts on reform of the United Nations. We expressed our position in the latest exchange of views between all member states on UN Security Council reform at official level last Monday, 28 June. For example, the UK continues to work for reform of the Security Council including by supporting the candidacies of Japan, India, Germany and Brazil for new permanent seats, as well as African representation.

British Citizens: Greece

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements his Department has in place to manage relationships with the Greek authorities concerning the unlawful killing of British citizens on Greek soil.

David Lidington: I am aware of the hon. Member's deep concerns about families who have lost loved ones in such tragic circumstances. I assure her that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Justice and the Greek Ministry of Justice are currently working together to find ways to strengthen the overall response to the deaths of British nationals in Greece in suspicious circumstances.

Departmental Conferences

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of his Department's expenditure on  (a) organisation of and  (b) attendance at conferences in each year since 1997.

Alistair Burt: The information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Mobile Phones

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for West Bromwich East of 9 June 2010,  Official Report, column 164W, on departmental mobile phones, what the  (a) purchase cost of the handset,  (b) network provider,  (c) type of tariff and  (d) name of the supplier is of (i) each BlackBerry device and (ii) the in-car telephone issued to Ministers in his Department.

Alistair Burt: holding answer 24 June 2010
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) ministerial mobile and in-car telephony services are provided via the Office of Government Commerce Mobile Solutions (II) Framework Agreement with Vodafone. This covers five ministerial BlackBerry devices on BlackBerry Team/Flexwork tariffs, and one in-car device on a Teamwork tariff. Device purchase costs were from £50 to £325 each. Tariffs range from £3.75 to £16.50 per month. BlackBerries and phones were recovered from former Ministers and reissued within the FCO as appropriate.

Departmental NDPBs

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the address is of the head office of each non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible.

Alistair Burt: The head office addresses for each non-departmental public body (NDPB) of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are as follows. Further details can be found at the following website address:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/working-in-partnership/working-with-stakeholder-groups/100-dept-public-bodies
	 Executive NDPBs
	The British Council
	10 Spring Gardens
	London
	SW1A 2BN
	Westminster Foundation for Democracy
	Artillery House
	11/19 Artillery Row
	London
	SW1P 1RT
	The Great Britain and China Centre
	15 Belgrave Square
	London
	SW1X 8PS
	The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission
	John Foster House
	36, Gordon Square
	London
	WC1H OPF
	 Advisory NDPBs
	The Government Hospitality Committee for the Purchase of Wine
	Lancaster House
	St James
	London
	SW1A 2PA
	The Diplomatic Service Appeals Board
	Employee Relations
	Human Resources Directorate
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	Old Admiralty Building
	London
	SW1A 2PA
	 Tribunal NDPB
	The Foreign Compensation Commission
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	Old Admiralty Building
	London
	SW1A 2PA

Departmental Official Photographs

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on official photographs of Ministers since the formation of the present administration.

Alistair Burt: All Ministers have used the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in-house photographer, part of the Audio Visual team, and photographs have been produced digitally. Therefore no costs were incurred.

Euro

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government plan to support any amendments to EU treaties which may be proposed to enable the rules governing the euro to be amended in the light of the Greek sovereign debt situation.

David Lidington: Any EU treaty, even one that applies just to the euro area, will need the unanimous agreement of all 27 EU member states, including the UK, which has a veto. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on Monday 21 June:
	"We will back measures that help sort out the Eurozone. We will not back measures that will pass power from the UK to Brussels."

Gibraltar: Equality

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response his Department plans to make to the European Court of Justice judgment C-186/09 on the non-implementation of equality legislation in Gibraltar.

David Lidington: Case C-186/09 relates to the implementation of Directive 2004/113/EC. This directive has now been implemented in Gibraltar. Transposition was notified to the Commission by means of a letter from the Government, dated 31 May 2010.

Gulf of Mexico: Oil

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent assessment is of the effects on relations between the UK and the US of the situation in the Gulf of Mexico.

Alistair Burt: The UK continues to have a very strong relationship with the United States of America. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met with President Obama at the G20 summit in Toronto on 26 June, where the President referred to a partnership 'built on a rock solid foundation'. They spoke about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in their meeting. They acknowledged that BP understood the scale of the catastrophe, was committed to clearing up the spill and was ready to respond to legitimate compensation claims against it. They also agreed that it was important for both the UK and US that the company remains viable, stable and strong going forward.

India and Pakistan: Nuclear Weapons

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to encourage India and Pakistan to participate more fully in international negotiations on nuclear security.

Alistair Burt: Nuclear security is a policy priority for the Government. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister attended the recent G8 summit in Canada, which concluded with a clear declaration of the importance of nuclear security and a commitment from G8 leaders to continue work together for our shared peace and security, including fulfilment of commitments made at the Washington Nuclear Security summit in April, which both Pakistan and India participated. We will continue to encourage the active participation of both countries in the run up to the next Nuclear Security summit in Seoul, 2012.
	Government Ministers and officials will continue to discuss nuclear security with the Governments of India and Pakistan, within the context of a broad strategy of engagement that focuses not just on security, but on developing our cultural, educational, scientific contact and commercial links.

Iraq: Christianity

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the treatment of Christian communities in Iraq.

Alistair Burt: Foreign and Commonwealth officials in Iraq and London regularly meet representatives of the Iraqi Christian community to hear their concerns. On 9 June 2010, I met with Canon Andrew White, vicar of St George's church in Baghdad, to discuss the situation of Christians in Iraq.
	We regularly urge the Iraqi government to protect all Iraqi communities, including Christians, and to deal appropriately with those who are found responsible for any acts of violence and intimidation because of political, ethnic or religious affiliation.

Israel: Nuclear Weapons

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will take steps to encourage the Government of Israel to declare the number, type and location of its nuclear weapons.

Alistair Burt: We are aware of the widespread assumption that Israel possesses nuclear weapons. We have always encouraged all states to be as transparent as possible about their civilian-and, where applicable, military-nuclear programmes and capabilities. We continue to call on Israel to sign up to the non-proliferation treaty as a non-nuclear weapon state.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps his Department has taken to seek to secure access for the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Gilad Shalit.

Alistair Burt: The UK has long called for Gilad Shalit's immediate and unconditional release. His continued captivity without any access to the International Committee of the Red Cross and with only very occasional, minimal contact with his family is utterly unacceptable.
	We continue to call on Hamas to renounce violence and take immediate and concrete steps towards the Quartet principles and to free Gilad Shalit without delay. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made this clear in a public statement on 25 June on the fourth anniversary of Mr Shalit's detention.

Nuclear Test Ban: Treaties

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government plan to take to seek to persuade Annex 2 countries to  (a) sign and  (b) ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; and how many staff his Department has assigned to undertake work in connection with that Treaty.

Alistair Burt: The Government will continue to take all appropriate opportunities to promote signature and ratification of the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty (CTBT), with particular focus on the remaining nine annex 2 countries. We will also continue to support the CTBT Organisation's own efforts to promote entry into force, including through CTBT article XVI (entry into force) events.
	The Government will continue to support the United States of America (US) Administration's commitment to ratify the treaty, recognising that US ratification is likely to provide an impetus for other annex 2 countries to follow suit.
	My nuclear team works on CTBT, together with colleagues from the Ministry Of Defence.

Pakistan: Counter-terrorism

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which projects funded by his Department as part of counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation programmes in Pakistan will not continue to be funded in financial year 2011-12.

Alistair Burt: The Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation programme's allocation for 2011-12 will be assessed as part of the Government-wide Spending Review to be announced in October. The allocation of resources to particular countries and projects will be based on an assessment of the threat to the UK and UK interests.

Pakistan: Foreign Relations

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the state of UK relations with Pakistan.

Alistair Burt: Pakistan is a key partner for the UK with whom we enjoy a strong and productive bilateral relationship. The primary vehicle for the bilateral relationship is the UK-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Pakistan from 23-25 June 2010, and during the visit emphasised the Government's desire to deepen the strategic dialogue, with close co-operation in areas such as education, economic co-operation , counter-terrorism and commerce.

Palestinians: International Assistance

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the number of  (a) mobile telephones,  (b) video cameras and  (c) digital cameras confiscated by the Israeli authorities from British members of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla that have yet to be returned.

Alistair Burt: We have made no such estimate, though we have been provided with some information by some of the British nationals on the flotilla.
	We have been informed by the Israeli authorities that the return of electronic and media equipment is under consideration by the Israeli Defence Forces. We will continue to press for its return and availability for use in the Inquiry, as required by those conducting it.

Palestinians: International Assistance

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances he has  (a) sought from and  (b) obtained from the Israeli government on it returning (i) contemporary notes, (ii) photographic evidence, (iii) video footage and (iv) other possessions confiscated from members of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and accompanying journalists in their original condition.

Alistair Burt: We have raised these specific issues with Israel's ambassador to the UK. Our ambassador to Israel and other members of our Embassy in Tel Aviv have also raised the matter on a number of occasions with the Israeli authorities. It has also been raised by the EU presidency, on behalf of EU Heads of Mission, with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
	Although we are not legally obliged to pursue either legal action, or to seek the return of a British national's property, nor is it part of our consular assistance policy to do so, exceptionally in this case, we have asked our consular staff in Istanbul to follow up with the flotilla organisers, Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (Insani Yardim Vakfi) (IHH) who still hold over 300 pieces of unclaimed luggage, including watches, phones and cameras. Our consular staff have taken photos of everything that was seen in IHH's storage, which we will shortly be distributing to the British nationals involved so they can attempt to identify any property that is theirs.
	We have been informed by the Israeli authorities that the return of electronic and media equipment is under consideration by the Israeli Defence Forces. We will continue to press for its return and availability for use in the Inquiry, as required by those conducting it.

Palestinians: International Assistance

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the significance of photographic and video evidence confiscated from members of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and accompanying journalists being made available to the Commission of Inquiry established by the government of Israel to enable that inquiry to meet international standards.

Alistair Burt: We believe the Inquiry should have access to all material which may assist it. We have not made an assessment on the significance of photographic and video evidence, which was reportedly confiscated from members of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, being made available to the Commission of Inquiry.
	We have been informed by the Israeli authorities that the return of electronic and media equipment is under consideration by the Israeli Defence Forces. I discussed this issue with the British Nationals during my meeting with them on 17 June and our officials have raised this with their Israeli counterparts. We will continue to press for its return and availability for use in the Inquiry, as required by those conducting it.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary underlined the need for the Commission to provide a full, credible, impartial and independent investigation that the international community can respect.

Russia: Trials

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Department is taking to seek to ensure respect for the rule of law and the right to a fair trial in the Russian Federation; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: We welcome President Medvedev's focus on the need to strengthen the rule of law in Russia, including his focus on tackling corruption and promoting the independence of the judiciary. Promoting the rule of law, including the independence of the judiciary, is a key element of the UK's and EU's engagement with Russia.
	The rule of law underpins many of the steps the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other Government Departments will take on Russia. The Attorney-General and Lord Chancellor discussed rule of law issues with the Russian Justice Minister during his recent visit to the UK. The annual UK/Russia bilateral human rights talks have enabled us to raise our concerns from a human rights perspective and we will do so again at the next talks planned for early 2011. We will continue to remind Russia that good governance and a rules based system are vital in building investor confidence and attracting foreign investment. A transparent and independent Russian legal system is in all our interests.
	The FCO funds projects supporting the rule of law in Russia. In the last financial year, we supported 10 projects at a total cost of £602,000. In the financial year 2010-2011, we are funding nine projects costing £624,295. These projects include:
	supporting the safety of human rights defenders on duty by introducing new models of field work such as joint mobile groups;
	increasing awareness of international human rights standards across the criminal justice system, with the aim of preventing false charges from being made by law enforcement agencies; and
	improving adherence to the principles in the European convention on human rights in domestic legislation and practice.

Russia: Trials

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department is continuing to monitor the trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: Our embassy in Moscow is watching developments in Mr Khodorkovsky's case closely, and is participating in trial monitoring with EU partners and the US. The Government underline the importance that the trial should be fair and impartial.

USA: Passports

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the US administration has notified him of the discovery of a forged British passport in the course of a recent investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation into espionage.

Alistair Burt: This is primarily a matter for the US authorities, but we are looking into any British links. We are investigating this with the US and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Departmental Official Cars

William Bain: To ask the Leader of the House which Ministers in his office have used an allocated ministerial car to travel between the Cabinet Office and the House of Commons on each day since 21 May 2010.

George Young: Neither my hon. Friend nor I have used an allocated ministerial car to travel between the office and the House of Commons.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Business Link

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his latest assessment is of the merits of Business Link; and whether he plans to end the scheme.

Mark Prisk: Business support funded by the public sector is designed to address gaps in private provision, which lead to many businesses making sub-optimal use of external advice and guidance. The 2007 economic impact evaluation of Business Link regional services found that within a year of assisting businesses the additional growth generated amounted to £2.26 of additional value for every £1 spent on the service. The web and advisor service have also been identified as creating significant benefits to businesses through hours saved and reduced cost of regulation compliance.
	The Coalition Government are committed to replacing regional development agencies with local enterprise partnerships. We are working with the regional development agencies (RDAs) to enable this transition. We are reviewing all the functions of the RDAs and we believe some of these are best led nationally, including responsibility for business support. The forthcoming White Paper on sub-national economic growth will set out our approach in more detail.

Business: Corruption

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what account his Department takes of whether companies have anti-corruption procedures in place when deciding whether to provide them with financial support.

Edward Davey: While anti-corruption procedures are not a prerequisite for the provision of funding, the Department takes steps in relation to each financial support scheme to ensure that the funding provided is employed for the purposes for which it was intended. For example, under the Grant for Business Investment scheme, funding is only provided where a company can demonstrate that project costs have been properly defrayed. This includes confirmation by an independent accountant.
	The Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD), states in its Mission and Principles that it aims to take account of factors beyond the purely financial, and of relevant government policies, including in respect of bribery and corruption when it is asked to support export transactions. Furthermore, it is ECGD's policy to comply with all international agreements which apply to the operations of export credit agencies, the relevant agreement on bribery and corruption being the OECD Council Recommendation on Bribery and Officially Supported Export Credits.
	The Department also encourages UK companies investing overseas to apply the anti-corruption chapter of the voluntary OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises and to consider the good practice anti-bribery guidance on internal controls, ethics, and compliance adopted by the OECD in February this year.

Business: Corruption

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what  (a) information and  (b) guidance on the exclusion of companies found guilty of corruption from public tenders following the implementation of the EU Public Procurement Directive 2004/18/EC his Department has given to officials providing overseas trade and investment support for UK companies.

Edward Davey: The Government provide annual instructions, pre-posting briefings and an on-line toolkit to support officials, in overseas posts, report allegations of UK bribery and advise UK companies on how to manage the risks of overseas corruption. The Office of Government Commerce has also published guidance on their website concerning mandatory exclusion from tenders of economic operators convicted of certain offences, including participation in criminal organisations, corruption, money-laundering and fraud.

Business: Government Assistance

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses  (a) in Great Yarmouth constituency,  (b) in the East of England region and  (c) nationally have received equity investment from the Capital for Enterprise Fund since that scheme's inception.

Mark Prisk: The Capital for Enterprise Fund has made investments in 38 businesses with a total value of £50.8 million. No investments have been made in the east of England including Great Yarmouth.

Business: West Midlands

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department plans to take to increase the level of access to credit for small businesses in  (a) Coventry and  (b) the West Midlands.

Mark Prisk: The Government have announced a number of measures which will help small businesses access credit throughout the UK including in Coventry and the rest of the West Midlands:
	The Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) will be increased by £200 million to support £700 million of additional lending until 31 March 2011. In addition, a processing target of 20 business days will be introduced for all major lenders participating in the EFG.
	The creation of the Growth Capital Fund to address a gap in the market for growth capital for small to medium-sized businesses.
	A new Enterprise Capital Fund to provide early stage risk capital to innovative small businesses with high growth potential.
	A Green Paper to be published before the summer recess to consider the broad range of finance options for businesses of different sizes.
	The Banking industry has published a new set of principles that high street banks will follow when lending to SMEs.
	The Government will also be working with the banking industry on the disclosure of regional lending data.
	Use funds from dormant bank accounts to establish a 'Big Society Bank', which will provide new finance for neighbourhood groups, charities, social enterprises and other non-governmental bodies.
	Government will create a 'green investment bank'. Details will follow in the autumn.
	Foster 'diversity in financial services, promote mutuals' and create a more competitive banking industry.
	In addition to these new measures Advantage West Midlands supported venture capital funds still have money to invest in growth businesses from across the region. AWM continue to make offers of support under the Grant for Business Investment.

Departmental Art Works

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has spent on works of art since 2007.

Edward Davey: This Department and its predecessors has not spent anything on works of art since 2007. All works of art are loaned from the Government Art Collection.

Departmental Catering

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department and its predecessors have spent on staff restaurants in each of the last 10 years; where each such restaurant is located; what budgetary support his Department provides for each; on what date each was last refurbished; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: Since 2001, this Department and its predecessors spent the following on its staff restaurants:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2000-01 153,245 
			 2004-05 219,102 
			 2005-06 231,736 
			 2007-08 15,555 
			 2009-10 5,980 
		
	
	Restaurants are located in central London at 1 Victoria street and 151 Buckingham Palace road. They are run on a commercial basis by our contracted catering service provider and BIS does not therefore provide a direct subsidy. However, the contractor is not charged for the space that is occupied by the restaurants at both locations. BIS also meets the costs for any replacement 'heavy' equipment in the restaurants, e.g. ovens, freezers, dishwashers etc.
	The 1 Victoria street restaurant was last refurbished in 2001 and the spend shown above for that year relates to new equipment purchased as part of the refurbishment. The refurbishment of the restaurant was part of a wider refurbishment of the Conference Centre, which adjoins the restaurant at 1 Victoria street, and it is not possible to split further refurbishment costs for the restaurant from the cost of the refurbishment of the area as a whole.
	The figure for 2004-05 relates to the purchase of new equipment for the restaurant at 151 Buckingham Palace road and works to the sump.
	The figure shown for 2005-06 relates to a project undertaken to enlarge the kitchen dishwasher area in the 1 Victoria street restaurant and includes the costs for new dishwashers.
	The figures shown for 2007-08 and 2009-10 were for replacement equipment in the restaurant at 1 Victoria street.

Departmental Legislation

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what files on  (a) the Abortion Act 1967 and  (b) the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (i) 1990 and (ii) 2008 his Department has created since July 2008; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: This Department has created no files on  (a) the Abortion Act 1967 and  (b) the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (i) 1990 and (ii) 2008, since July 2008.

Departmental Manpower

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff worked in his Department's ministerial support office on  (a) 1 May 2010 and  (b) 1 July 2010.

Edward Davey: holding answer 5 July 2010
	On 1 May 2010 there were 40 people in the Department's ministerial Private Offices and on 1 July 2010 there were 30.

East of England Development Agency

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what websites have been  (a) operated and  (b) commissioned by the East of England Development Agency in each year since its establishment; how much each such website cost the Agency in each such year; what estimate has been made of the number of unique visitors to each site in each such year; what estimate has been made of the average length of time each visitor spent on such websites in each such year; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: The following tables provide the details of East of England Development Agency's websites since its establishment:
	
		
			  Costs for websites commissioned and operated by EEDA 
			  £ 
			  Website/domain  1999- 2000  2000 - 01  2001- 02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 www.eeda.org.uk n/a n/a n/a 10,472 8,824 51,403 94,909 89,947 63,509 71,156 88,821 
			 
			 www.eastofengland.uk.com n/a n/a n/a 25,550 11,265 1,220 1,250 0 0 0 19,500 
			 
			 www.takeiton.org.uk - - - - - - - - 12,725 28,275 1,500 
			 
			 www.RunningtheGauntlet.com - - - - - - - (1)22,600 (1)7,433 (1)37,100 - 
			 www.BigFish.com - - - - - - - (1)- (1)- (1)- - 
			 www.bizgrowtheast.com - - - - - - - (1)- (1)- (1)- - 
			 
			 www.cutyourcarbon.org.uk - - - - - - - - - 30,000 20,000 
			 
			 www.insighteast.org.uk(2) n/a n/a n/a n/a 50,000 47,172 34,153 77,452 46,364 35,369 15,130 
			 
			 www.spaceforideas.uk.com/ n/a n/a n/a n/a 3,000 17,235 2,567 960 0 1,077 - 
			 
			  www.bizmapeast.co.uk/ - - - - - - - - 26,860 900 44,090 
			 
			 www.landmarkeast.org.uk - - - - 12,131 13,707 11,422 1,259 1,095 1,245 945 
			 
			 www.erebusonline.org.uk - - - - - - - - - - 3,930 
			 
			 www.dpeast.org - - - - - - - - - - 3,930 
			 n/a = Data not available '-' = Denote that the site was not in operation (or is no longer operated by EEDA). (1) Indicates brace (2) Insight East was previously www.eastofenglandobservatory.org.uk The site uses the same content management system but the domain name has changed.  Note:  Hosting costs are included in the EEDA line but are shared across the following sites: www.eeda.org.uk www.eastofengland.uk.com www.takeiton.org.uk www.RunningtheGauntlet.com www.BigFish.com www.bizgrowtheast.com 
		
	
	
		
			  Unique visitors to and average time spent on websites commissioned and operated by EEDA 
			  Website/domain  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 www.eeda.org.uk n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 102,478 128,493 129,901 
			  n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 3m1s 2m22s 2m27s 
			 
			 www.eastofengland.uk.com n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 
			 www.takeiton.org.uk - - - - - - - - 1,050 6,285 2,369 
			  - - - - - - - - 3m9s 2m20s 2m16s 
			 
			 www.RunningtheGauntlet.com - - - - - - - n/a n/a (1)10,511 - 
			  - - - - - - - n/a n/a (2)2m40s - 
			 www.BigFish.com - - - - - - - n/a n/a (1)- - 
			  - - - - - - - n/a n/a (2)- - 
			 www.bizgrowtheast.com - - - - - - - n/a n/a (1)- - 
			  - - - - - - - n/a n/a (2)- - 
			 
			 www.cutyourcarbon.org.uk - - - - - - - - - n/a n/a 
			 
			 www.insighteast.org.uk(3) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 
			 www.spaceforideas.uk.com/ - - - - n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a - 
			 
			  www.bizmapeast.co.uk/ - - - - - - - - n/a 7,840 23,500 
			  - - - - - - - - n/a 3m26s 3m31s 
			 
			 www.landmarkeast.org.uk - - - - n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 
			 www.erebusonline.org.uk - - - - - - - - - - n/a 
			 
			 www.dpeast.org - - - - - - - - - - n/a 
			 n/a = Data not available '-' = Denotes that the site was not in operation (1) Indicates brace (2) Indicates brace (3) Insight East was previously www.eastofenglandobservatory.org.uk 
		
	
	 Details of the websites
	www.eeda.org.uk
	EEDA's website is the organisation's main point of contact with businesses, external stakeholders and the media. This site hosts statutory information, such as the regional economic strategy, EEDA's annual report and accounts and board papers, as well as up to date information on business events, contracts and tenders, and media announcements. The website is an interface through which the public are able to contact the organisation, sign up to e-briefings, or find their way to current economic intelligence and statistics.
	www.eastofengland.uk.com
	The East of England website was set up to promote the region as a profitable place to do business and a vibrant place to live in and visit. This website is also used by the business community in the region and hosts current campaigns and information of relevance to businesses operating in the East of England.
	www.takeiton.org.uk
	Takeiton is a business support programme designed to help business recognise and implement business improvement through the effective use of IT. The website was designed to promote the programme of grants and specialist IT advice as well as show case best practice.
	www.RunningtheGauntlet.com
	www.BigFish.com
	www.bizgrowtheast.com
	Established to promote and support a business support programme designed to help early stage SME's attract angel and VC investment.
	 www.bizmapeast.co.uk/
	Is an innovative online tool to help small businesses identify the support that is right for their needs. The website is being adopted by partners and local authorities and has been widely commended by businesses and business representative groups.
	www.cutyourcarbon.org.uk
	Cut your Carbon was a campaign that offers support and information to communities in the East of England that want to tackle climate change. The website was the primary interface between EEDA's Cut Your Carbon team and participating communities across the East of England.
	www.insighteast.org.uk
	Insight East (formerly the East of England Observatory) is the regional intelligence centre for the East of England. Insight East provides a range of services to help the region's decision-makers better understand the economy and factors affecting it.
	www.spaceforideas.uk.com
	The space for ideas website was created to support the East of England regional promotion campaign, focusing on supporting businesses to improve their performance while at the same time supporting the region as a great place to live and work. It contained a suite of material designed to encourage creative thinking and problem solving with materials to download and use.
	www.landmarkeast.org.uk
	Landmark East is a competition launched by EEDA to find a regional landmark for the East of England.
	www.erebusonline.org.uk
	Established to capture business and domestic demand for next generation broadband services in the East of England. The information is provided free to commercial and public organisations to support the business case for broadband infrastructure projects. This initiative has been widely welcomed by commercial organisations and has significant support in the region.
	www.dpeast.org
	Is an online community site established to support collaboration in the development of community and commercial broadband projects.

EU External Trade: Colombia and Peru

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2010,  Official Report, column 316W, on Peru: EU external trade, what mechanisms are in place to monitor the implementation of the Trade and Sustainable Development Chapter of the EU-Andean (Peru and Colombia) Free Trade Agreement.

Edward Davey: The Trade and Sustainable Development chapter of the agreement incorporates a clause committing each party to establish a Council on Trade and Sustainable Development. The Council shall consist of representatives responsible for labour, environmental and trade matters who will meet within the first year following the entry into force of the agreement and thereafter as necessary. The Council will have a duty to identify actions for achievement of the objectives of the agreement and to identify recommendations for good implementation. Once a year the Council will meet with civil society organisations and the public to carry out discussions related to the implementation of this chapter.

EU External Trade: Colombia and Peru

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2010,  Official Report, column 316W, on Peru: EU external trade, whether he has made an assessment of the likely effects on the level of illegal logging in the Peruvian Amazon of the EU-Andean (Peru and Colombia) Free Trade Agreement.

Edward Davey: The European Commission has undertaken extensive analysis of the EU-Andean (Peru and Colombia) Free Trade Agreement, which is in the public domain. The latest report, dating from July 2009 prior to conclusion of negotiations, states that increased market access for processed timber products can be expected to add to existing deforestation trends, and illegal logging is a significant contributor to this problem. The Sustainable Development chapter of the agreement contains provisions to counter this, aiming to improve forest law enforcement and governance, and promote trade in legal and sustainable forest products.

EU External Trade: Colombia and Peru

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2010,  Official Report, column 316W, on Peru: EU external trade, what recent assessment he has made of the merits of the human rights suspension clause in the Trade and Sustainable Development Chapter of the EU-Andean (Peru and Colombia) Free Trade Agreement.

Edward Davey: The Human Rights suspension clause in the EU-Andean (Peru and Colombia) Free Trade Agreement sends an important political signal that EU member states will always aim to promote principles of human rights and democracy. It also provides a locus for the EU to regularly raise human rights concerns with Peru and Colombia.

Further Education: Finance

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which further education colleges are eligible to apply for funding from the College Investment Fund.

John Hayes: There are 158 colleges eligible to receive a share of the renewal grant. These colleges are listed as follows. These very same colleges are also eligible to apply for a share of the enhanced renewal grant.
	 Eligible colleges
	Abingdon and Witney college
	Accrington and Rossendale college
	Amersham and Wycombe college
	Askham Bryan
	Aylesbury college
	Barking college
	Bamfield college
	Basingstoke college of technology
	Bedford college
	Bexley college
	Bicton college
	Blackburn college
	Blackpool and the Fylde college
	Boston college, Lincolnshire
	Bournemouth and Poole further education college
	Bradford college
	Bridgwater college
	Brockenhurst college
	Brooklands college
	Brooksby Melton college
	Burton college
	Bury college
	Cambridge regional college
	Capel Manor college
	Carlisle college
	Carshalton college
	Central Bedfordshire college
	Chelmsford college
	Chesterfield college
	Chichester college
	Cirencester college
	City college Brighton
	City college Plymouth
	City of Bath college
	City of Sunderland college
	City of Wolverhampton college
	Cleveland college of art and design
	College of Harringey, Enfield and North East London
	College of West Anglia
	Craven college
	Dearne Valley college
	Derwentside college
	Dudley college
	Eastleigh college
	Fareham college
	Farnborough college of technology (FCOT)
	Fircroft college of adult education
	Grantham college
	Greenwich community college
	Grimsby Institute
	Guildford college of further and higher education
	Hackney community college
	Halesowen college
	Harlow college
	Harrow college
	Hartpury college
	Havering college of further education
	Henley college, Coventry
	Hereford college of arts
	Hereward college, Coventry
	Hillcroft college
	Hopwood Hall college
	Hugh Baird college
	Hull college
	Huntingdonshire regional college
	Isle of Wight college
	Joseph Priestley college
	Kensington and Chelsea college
	Kidderminster college
	Kingston college
	Kingston Maurward college
	Knowsley Community college
	Lakes College West Cumbria
	Lancaster and Morecambe college
	Leeds college of art and design
	Leeds college of building
	Leek college of further education and school of art
	Lewisham college
	Lincoln college
	Loughborough college
	Lowestoft college
	Mary Ward Centre (The)
	Mid Cheshire college
	Milton Keynes college
	Morley college
	Moulton college
	Myerscough college
	New college Nottingham
	New college Stamford
	New college Swindon
	Newbury college
	Newham college of further education
	Northern college for residential adult education
	PETROC (new name for North and East Devon colleges)
	North East Surrey college of technology (Nescot)
	North East Worcestershire college
	North Hertfordshire college
	North Lindsey college
	North Nottinghamshire college
	North Warwickshire and Hinckley college
	Northbrook college
	Northumberland college
	Norton Radstock college
	Norwich City college
	Oaklands college
	Otley college
	Oxford and Cherwell Valley college
	Peterborough regional college
	Plymouth college of art and design
	Preston college
	Redbridge college
	Richmond adult community college
	Richmond upon Thames college
	Riverside college Halton
	Rotherham college of arts and technology
	Royal Forest of Dean college
	Runshaw college
	Ruskin college
	Salford college
	SEEVIC (Essex)
	Shipley college
	Shrewsbury college of arts and technology
	South Downs college
	South Nottingham
	South Staffordshire college
	South Tyneside college
	South Worcestershire college
	Southgate college
	Southport college
	Southwark college
	Sparsholt college
	Stafford college, Staffordshire
	Stanmore college
	Stourbridge college
	Stratford college
	Strode college
	Sussex Downs college
	Tameside college
	Telford college of arts and technology
	Thanet college
	The Calderdale colleges Corporation
	The Henley college
	The Oldham college
	Tower Hamlets college
	Tyne metropolitan college
	Uxbridge college
	Wakefield college
	Walford and North Shropshire college
	Waltham Forest college
	West Nottinghamshire college
	West Suffolk college
	Weymouth college
	Wiltshire college
	Worcester college of technology
	Workers' Educational Association
	Working Men's college (The)
	Worthing college
	Yeovil college

Further Education: Greater London

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which further education colleges in London will be eligible to apply for funds from the £50 million of capital funding announced by his Department on 21 June 2010.

John Hayes: There are 27 further education colleges from the Greater London Region eligible to receive a share of the £30 million 'Renewal Grant'. These colleges are listed as follows. These very same colleges are also eligible to apply for a share of the £20 million 'Enhanced Renewal Grant'.
	 Eligible colleges
	Barking college
	Bexley college
	Capel Manor college
	Carshalton college
	College of Harringey, Enfield and North East London
	Greenwich Community college
	Hackney Community college
	Harrow college
	Havering college of further education
	Hillcroft college
	Kensington and Chelsea college
	Kingston college
	Lewisham college
	Mary Ward Centre (The)
	Morley college
	Newham college of further education
	Redbridge college
	Richmond Adult Community college
	Richmond upon Thames college
	Southgate college
	Southwark college
	Stanmore college
	Tower Hamlets college
	Uxbridge college
	Waltham Forest college
	Workers' Educational Association
	Working Men's college (The)

Graduates: Employment

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assistance he plans to provide to graduate jobseekers.

David Willetts: We recognise that the job market remains competitive for new graduates in these difficult economic times, as it does for others. However, a degree remains a good investment in the long term.
	The Government are committed to helping prepare graduates find work. That is why it is vital that prospective students are equipped with the best possible information up front, which is why I have asked universities to provide employability statements to help them make informed choices.

Higher Education: Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2010,  Official Report, columns 314-15, on higher education: anti-Semitism, when he plans to meet representatives of the Jewish community and the higher education sector; if he will place in the Library a copy of the agenda of that meeting; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what his policy is on the continuance of the higher education sub-group of the cross-Government working group on anti-Semitism; what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues about this group since his appointment; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what guidance his Department has issued to higher education institutions on combating  (a) anti-Semitism,  (b) stereotyping of the Jewish community and  (c) violent extremism; what discussions his Department has had with the Jewish community on the issue; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The meeting with Jewish community and higher education stakeholders is in the process of being arranged and I anticipate that it will involve broad discussions on anti-Semitism and the implications for the higher education sector, including the future of the BIS Anti-Semitism and Higher Education Group. A formal agenda has not yet been agreed for this meeting but I would be happy to place a copy in the Library when it is available. I have held no discussions with ministerial colleagues about this group.
	The former Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills provided updated and revised guidance to higher education institutions on 'Promoting Good Campus Relations, Fostering Shared Values and Preventing Violent Extremism in Universities and Higher Education Colleges', available here:
	http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications/extremismhe.pdf
	This provided detailed guidance to help institutions address issues concerning violent extremism, applicable to any form this might take on campus. The Department has not issued any guidance about the stereotyping of any community.
	The sector itself has also produced guidance which offers institutions practical strategies to deal with instances of hate crimes and intolerance on campus, including anti-Semitism.
	There is no place for racism of any form, including anti-Semitism, in higher education. Universities have the primary responsibility for ensuring that their students are not subject to threatening or abusive behaviour on campus and have access to a strong legislative framework and guidance to help them deal effectively with instances of intolerance, racism and harassment in their institutions. Government would expect them to vigorously tackle these issues when they arise and report criminal attacks to the police when they occur on campus, or support students to do so.

Higher Education: Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which directorate of his Department has responsibility for the  (a) formulation and  (b) implementation of policy on (i) countering anti-Semitism in higher education, (ii) the higher education sub-group of the cross-government working group on anti-Semitism, (iii) the cross-government working group on anti-Semitism and (iv) Government policy on the work of the All Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti-Semitism; how many officials in his Department at each pay band are employed in this Directorate; what other posts in his Department each such official has held; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The higher education directorate has the responsibility for policy on anti-Semitism in higher education. There are four officials within this directorate who cover policy on anti-Semitism as part of their remit-by grade these are two senior civil servants, one team leader and one higher executive officer. As experienced civil servants these officials have undertaken work in a number other posts across Government in the past.

Higher Education: Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what files his Department holds on  (a) the higher education sub-group of the cross-government working group on anti-Semitism,  (b) the cross-government working group on anti-Semitism,  (c) the All Party Parliamentary Inquiry into anti-Semitism and  (d) countering anti-Semitism in higher education; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The Department holds the necessary records on each of  (a), (b), (c) and  (d) to enable officials to provide the appropriate policy support to Ministers.

Mobile Phones: Health Hazards

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will introduce regulations requiring mobile phone retailers to display prominently at the point of sale the amount of radiation absorbed by the user for each particular model.

Edward Vaizey: We have no plans to introduce such requirements. Advice on the availability of specific absorption rates (SAR) values from mobile phones was given in the May 2000 report (Stewart Report) from the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones and an update was given in the Mobile Phones and Health 2004 Report from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) now merged into the Health Protection Agency.
	In addition, the UK's four Mobile Network Operators, namely 3UK, 02, Vodafone and Everything Everywhere (following the merger of Orange and T-Mobile in March 2010) have resources within their customer service departments to provide information and advice to users regarding SAR values on handsets.
	Information about SAR values is available on manufacturers' websites and also on the Mobile Manufacturers Forum website at:
	www.mmfai.org

Rover Group

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the contribution by the Secretary of State in response to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield on 16 June 2010,  Official Report, column 898, what the outcome has been of his inquiries into the status of the MG Rover Trust Fund.

Mark Prisk: The Department has looked into this issue. Secretary of State wrote to the Hon Member on 4 July enclosing a copy of a letter to the Justice for Rover Workers Group which set out the Department's position. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Video Games: North East

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the computer games industry in the North East on assistance to that industry.

Edward Vaizey: BIS Ministers have had none. However, as the hon. Member will know, the computer games industry is very important to the economy in the north-east. As such, I hope to speak to representatives from the industry in the near future to discuss how the cuts to corporation tax to 24%, announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his emergency budget, and the increase in the employer national insurance threshold will stimulate further growth and expansion of this sector.

CABINET OFFICE

Departmental Internet

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what criteria have been set to govern the creation of new Government websites; and what role his Department's Efficiency Board will have in  (a) the application of those criteria and  (b) otherwise in the process of establishing a new Government website.

Francis Maude: I am determined to reduce the number of Government websites and so the creation of any new sites will be exceptional and only permitted where its objective cannot be met in any other way. The reduction in the number of websites is part of the overall control on communications spending, which the Efficiency Board is overseeing.

Departmental Internet

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much the Your Freedom website cost to build; what his most recent estimate is of the projected running costs for the website in each of the next three years; what the monetary value is of his Department's contract with Delib in respect of the website; on what date the creation of the website was authorised by his Department's Efficiency Board; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: The total cost of building
	www.hmg.gov.uk/yourfreedom
	was £3,200 including vat. The application, which was bought off the shelf, is situated on an existing website
	www.hmg.gov.uk
	The most recent estimate for projected running costs for the website in this financial year is £19,853.98 including VAT; this includes the building costs mentioned. This is an approximation because the overall cost is related to the amount of traffic received by the application. This cost could go up or down according to volume of traffic. It is not possible to give running costs over a three year time period as the lifespan of the project has not yet been decided.
	The creation of the Your Freedom website did not come before the Efficiency Board as the estimated cost was below the £20,000 threshold for approval.

Departmental Internet

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what policy on moderation is applied to his Department's Your Freedom website.

Francis Maude: The moderation policy is available on the Your Freedom application at
	www.hmg.gov.uk/yourfreedom/moderation-policy

Government Departments: Manpower

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office from whom he received advice on conducting his Department's survey into non-payroll staff in respect of departments and non-departmental public bodies.

Francis Maude: Further to my answer of 29 June 2010,  Official Report, column 525W in conducting the recent workforce management information scoping exercise, advice was sought from appropriate Cabinet Office officials.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Liverpool

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many of those resident in Liverpool have been in receipt of jobseekers' allowance for over 12 months.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 6 July 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many of those resident in Liverpool have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance for over 12 months. (6413)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles the number of claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) from the Jobcentre Plus administrative system.
	There were 4,979 people resident in Liverpool in receipt of JSA for over 12 months in May 2010.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Absent Voting: Fraud

Graham Evans: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps his Department plans to take to prevent postal vote fraud.

Mark Harper: The Government are committed to tackling all forms of electoral fraud. We have set out our intention to tackle fraudulent electoral registration by speeding up the introduction of individual electoral registration. I understand that the Electoral Commission and the Association of Chief Police Officers will produce a joint report on allegations of electoral malpractice early next year. We will consider carefully the findings of this report and any recommendations about this issue contained in the reports of the Electoral Commission into the conduct of the recent general election.